After US President Joe Biden conducted a trilateral conference in Washington on Friday, Beijing criticized the United States, Japan, and the Philippines while defending its operations in the South China Sea as “lawful”.
At the White House conference on Thursday, Biden committed to defend the Philippines against any attack in the South China Sea, following frequent clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed waterway that have fueled worries of greater warfare.
The leaders of the three states released a joint statement expressing “serious concern” about Beijing’s moves in the South China Sea, describing them as “dangerous and aggressive”.
Beijing claims practically the entire South China Sea, brushing aside competing claims from numerous Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines.
On Friday, China reacted to the joint summit in Washington, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning saying Beijing “firmly opposes the relevant countries manipulating bloc politics, and firmly opposes any behavior that provokes or plans for opposition, and harms other countries’ strategic security and interests.”
“We firmly oppose engaging in closed cliques that exclude others in the region,” Mao told a regular press conference.
“Japan and the Philippines can of course develop normal relations with other countries, but they should not invite factional opposition into the region, much less engage in trilateral cooperation at the cost of hurting another country’s interests.
“If these are not wanton smears and attacks on China, what are they?” she said.
“China’s actions in the East China Sea and South China Sea are appropriate and lawful, and beyond reproach,” Mao added.
‘Ironclad’
On Thursday, Biden informed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that the US has “ironclad” defense obligations to Japan and the Philippines.
The US, Japanese, and Philippine officials praised the conference as “historic” as they gathered around a horseshoe-shaped wooden table in the magnificent East Room of the White House.
Without mentioning China by name, they portrayed their alliance as a foundation for peace and democracy in the Asia-Pacific region, in contrast to authoritarian Beijing.
Marcos, who is considered as closer to Washington than his more pro-China predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, stated that they shared a “unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order.”
Kishida stated that “multi-layered cooperation is essential” and “today’s meeting will make history.”
Biden, 81, also spoke separately with Marcos, 66, the son and namesake of the country’s previous dictator.
‘Purely defensive’
The joint summit took place a day after Biden hosted a lavish state visit for Japan’s Kishida, during which he announced a historic boost in defense ties geared at fighting a resurgent China.
Kishida delivered a joint address to Congress, urging Americans to overcome “self-doubt” about their position as a global power.
This time, Kishida warned of the risks posed by China’s ascent, saying that Japan, which had lost its right to a military after World War II, was resolved to do more to share responsibility with its friend, the United States.
The United States, Japan, and the Philippines are poised to announce fresh combined naval exercises with Australia, similar to those held in the region over the weekend, authorities said.
They also plan to propose new economic cooperation initiatives.
The US has a mutual defense treaty with Manila, but there are concerns that it may be tested, with tensions rising especially near the Second Thomas Shoal, an isolated coral in the Spratly Islands.
Biden has hosted Japan and the Philippines as his latest Asia-Pacific allies, following his August visit to Camp David with Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
But Biden has also taken steps to moderate tensions with China, including a two-hour phone discussion with President Xi Jinping last week, following a face-to-face meeting in San Francisco in November.
On Wednesday, Biden stated that the significant increase in defence links with Japan was “purely defensive” and “not aimed at any one nation or a threat to the region.”