US repeats warning to China against attack on Philippine forces

The US on Sunday repeated its warning to China that any attack on the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the South China Sea would trigger a 1951 US-Philippines joint defense treaty.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued the warning in a written statement marking the five-year anniversary of a jury ruling rejecting China’s claims to sovereignty over large areas of the South China Sea.

China on Friday reiterated Beijing’s disapproval of the ruling.

China claims sovereignty over most of the water within the so-called Nine Sector Line, which is also disputed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

“The United States reaffirms its July 13, 2020 policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea,” Blinken said, referring to the rejection by former President Donald Trump’s administration of China’s claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea, Reuters reported.

“We also reaffirm that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” Blinken added.

E.M