Beijing asks Manila to remove the Philippine Coast Guard's flagship from the vicinity of a disputed shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The demand was made during a high-level diplomatic meeting, even as a senior Chinese military official warned of disastrous consequences for so-called encroachment in China's maritime territory. Zen Hernandez has tonight's top story. Heightened tensions in Escoda, Seoul triggered yet another round of talks between the Philippines and China. Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Teresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong jointly led the bilateral consultation mechanism held in Beijing Wednesday.
Chen reiterated the Chinese position and urged the Philippines to immediately withdraw its vessel, the BRP Teresa Magbanwa, from Escoda, Seoul. But Lazaro emphasized that Escoda Shoal is within the Philippines'exclusive economic zone. The Philippine Coast Guard deployed its biggest vessel to Escoda Shoal in April for maritime patrol.
But tensions escalated in August after Chinese vessels swarmed and prevented a resupply mission, which was followed by the China Coast Guard's deliberate ramming of the BRP Teresa Magbanwa. The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest with a number of countries expressing support. Last September 4, U.S.
Secretary for Defense Lloyd Austin also made a phone call to Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. Secretary Austin also reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the Philippines following recent dangerous and escalatory actions by the People's Republic of China against lawful Philippine maritime operations in the South China Sea. Both officials discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows. But China warned against U.S. interference and warned that the People's Liberation Army is ready to crush foreign encroachment in what it claims as Chinese territory. The Chinese people and the Chinese People's Liberation Army will never allow any external forces to interfere with China's internal affairs.
The Chinese military official also accused the Philippines of instigating provocations to undermine China's sovereignty and maritime rights. But the Philippine National Security Council underscored that the Philippines is a sovereign nation. that fights for its own rights and interests.
Obviously, this is PRC propaganda at work. This is part of their intent to portray the Philippines as a mere pawn in these geopolitical tensions that are happening right now in the West Philippine Sea. It is a Philippine national position consistent with the national interest and most importantly, in accordance with international law.
Malaya also said that there are no plans at the moment to remove BRP Teresa Magbanwa from Escoda Shoal, despite the damage it sustained from the ramming incident with the China Coast Guard. From September 3 to 9, over 200 Chinese vessels were monitored inside the Philippine-exclusive economic zone, and almost 70 of these have surrounded the Teresa Magbanwa. We are monitoring the possible reclamation activities. Teresa Magbano is there for maritime patrol.
It's also doing work on marine preservation and monitoring fisheries in that area. So these are all acts of a sovereign country. So we are committed to keep it there.
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. But he expects Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo. to express the Philippines'position on various issues. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez also said that around 20 countries plan to hold a summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to talk to China about the South China Sea situation.
Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News.