Washington hasaccused Beijing of carrying out “coercive and risky” moves in the disputed areas of the South China Sea in relation to Philippine vessels.
Washington has launched more verbal barrages at Beijing, despite US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen currently visiting Beijing to ostensibly try and improve strained relations. The US accused China of carrying out “coercive and risky” moves in the disputed areas of the South China Sea in relation to Philippine vessels.The new controversial statements aimed at China came after the western command of the Philippine military claimed that 48 Chinese fishing vessels had been seen near Recto Bank in the South China Sea. The Philippines consider Recto Bank part of its 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. After the Philippine Coast Guard claimed that two of its ships were “illegally thwarted” by a China Coast Guard ship in the South China Sea, Beijing responded by saying maneuvers of its vessels were “professional and restrained.”The US has waded in with its fresh accusations targeting China as tensions continue to brew in the highly-contested area of the South China Sea. China has maintained territorial disputes with Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei around islands in the region that have significant, untapped reserves. Furthermore, the passage of US warships, which Beijing highlights as a breach of international law and a ploy to undermine China’s sovereignty and security, has been further firing tensions up. Washington insists that its naval force will remain in the area, despite the People’s Republic of China repeatedly castigating such moves.Inspections Targeting China FirmsJanet Yellen’s visit to China, coming amid increasing economic and financial contradictions between the two countries, has been framed by Washington as an attempt to stabilize the US-China relationship via talks. In effect, US policies have consistently done everything to plunge ties between the two countries to rock-bottom level.
