China says US has ‘no right’ to interfere in South China Sea

Following Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement that Washington is committed to protecting the Philippines against armed assault in the disputed waterway, China declared on Tuesday that the United States has “no right” to meddle in the South China Sea.

“The United States is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in maritime issues that are between China and the Philippines,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular press conference in Beijing.

Blinken is on a brief trip of Asia to bolster US assistance for regional allies against China. This is his second visit to the Philippine capital, Manila, since President Ferdinand Marcos assumed power in 2022.

“Military cooperation between the US and the Philippines must not harm China’s sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and still less be used to provide a platform for the Philippines’ illegal claims,” Lin said in a response to a question on Blinken’s earlier comments.

“China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,” he added.

Beijing has asserted its claim to nearly the whole South China Sea, which is an essential passageway for world trade. It has disregarded rival claims made by many Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines, and an international court that has deemed its position to be unfounded.