Beijing hits out at German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s ‘unwarranted’ attack on its actions in South China Sea dispute with Philippines
- Baerbock said during a visit to the Philippines that Beijing was violating Manila’s ‘rights and economic development opportunities’ in the disputed waters
- But China’s embassy in Manila said it was not to blame for recent clashes and said foreign countries should stay out of the dispute
It also said: “No non-regional country has the right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines.”
The statement added that China should not be blamed for recent incidents and is “committed to properly handling disputes with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation with the aim of jointly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea”.
During Baerbock’s recent visit to the Philippines – the first by a German foreign minister in about a decade – she said China was threatening freedom of navigation in the disputed waters and the dispute was a matter of concern for Germany and other European countries.
In recent months there have been repeated face-offs between Chinese and Philippine ships in the South China Sea, including several collisions that each side blamed on the other.
02:03
Beijing and Manila trade blame over ‘provocative’ moves with ship collisions near disputed shoal