US slams China's 'increasingly dangerous' moves

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday raised a warning over China's "increasingly dangerous" and "unlawful actions" in the South and East China Seas that he said were threatening peace and stability in the region.

- HELEN FLORES

"We remain concerned about China's increasingly dangerous and unlawful actions on the South and East China Seas, which have injured people, harmed vessels from ASEAN nations and contradict commitments to peaceful resolution of disputes," Blinken told Southeast Asian leaders gathered here for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-US Summit.

"The United States will continue to support freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight in the Indo-Pacific," Blinken said.

"We also believe it's important to maintain our shared commitment to protect stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the US official said. Blinken was representing the US at the annual ASEAN meeting.

In remarks after Blinken’s address, President Marcos assured the US official of the Philippines’ continued support for US projects intended to advance peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

Marcos, meanwhile, raised anew recent hostile actions by the Chinese against Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea, this time at the 19th East Asia Summit. The EAS is the highest-level platform for strategic dialogue on Southeast Asia concerns.