Chinese embassy slams US security adviser

MANILA, Philippines, November 25 ------ China has blasted United States National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien for his “unreasonable” remarks on the South China Sea as it accused the US of using electronic codes of civilian aircraft of the Philippines and other regional countries to carry out espionage flights over disputed waters. Beijing, through its embassy in Manila, said in a statement on Monday that O’Brien made the remarks about the South China Sea, Hong Kong and Taiwan during his visit to the Philippines on the same day.

The embassy said O’Brien blatantly accused China of stoking tensions in the region, and that the US official interfered in China’s internal affairs and deliberately exaggerated regional tensions to sow discord between China and the Philippines. O’Brien was in Manila on Monday for the official turnover of missiles and other weapons to the Philippines promised in April by US President Donald Trump to help the government battle Islamic extremists as well as potential aggressors in the South China Sea.

The US, through O’Brien, also reaffirmed its commitment to protect Philippine forces if attacked in the South China Sea. But the Chinese embassy said the US was regarding itself as “patron” among regional countries as well as “judge.” It also accused the US of stirring confrontation in the region to frustrate efforts of China and ASEAN countries to peacefully negotiate and manage disputes. Despite Chinese militarization, the embassy insisted that the situation in the South China Sea remains “stable” and is even “improving.”

“Solidarity and cooperation is what the world needs most instead of confrontation. Facing a world with difficulties and challenges, it is against the interest of all to escalate tensions and widen differences,” the embassy said, citing the raging pandemic and the global economic turmoil. But since the outbreak of the pandemic, the US State Department said China has built new “research stations” on fortified artificial islands on Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef and Zamora (Subi) Reef. China also deployed special military aircraft on Kagitingan Reef, the US said.

Source: philstar.com