Tensions seem to rise between the US and China in the South China Sea due to joint military drills, but reports have claimed that there is “little worry” about whether a larger conflict will emerge. Amid these tensions, Beijing is calling on Manila to engage in ‘diplomacy’ to resolve the island impasse. China Daily reports:
China’s stance on resolving the situation by diplomatic reconciliation is “unchanged”, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a daily news conference in Beijing on Friday.
“We strongly urge the Philippines to get back on the correct track of resolution through diplomacy, and any remark or move that complicates or intensifies the situation makes no sense to the resolution,” Liu warned.
In the wake of the incident, Manila called on neighboring countries in the region to “take a stand” but received little response. The United States refused to take sides.
Despite claims from the US that they would not take sides in the dispute, the US has doubled military aid to the Philippines. AFP adds:
The increased aid was confirmed during the recent US visit of Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin for talks with their US counterparts Hillary Clinton and Leon Panetta.
They discussed the almost month-long face-off with China over a shoal in the South China Sea that is claimed by both countries.
The Philippines also asked the US for ships, planes and radars to help modernise its poorly equipped military.
Hernandez said the “foreign-military financing” aid could be used to buy new equipment or maintain existing military resources.
