Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated as the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted real combat training, simulating strikes on 'enemy' armed fishing boats, a move seen as a direct threat to the Philippines. This development comes amidst the first U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral talks aimed at addressing China's 'gray zone' tactics and deepening economic ties in light of Beijing's actions that test American treaty commitments. China's aggressive posture includes a specific threat to 'take' the Second Thomas Shoal in the Philippines, with Chinese government propaganda outlets setting the stage for an imminent attack. China sent their top 'retired' PLA General and 'retired' ambassador Cui Tiankai to threaten U.S. Combatant Commanders, asserting their claim over the Second Thomas Shoal. In response, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine forces in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, discussions between Philippine and U.S. top security officials have focused on China's 'coercive, aggressive' actions, signaling a growing diplomatic row between the two Asian neighbors.
The Philippines said its national security adviser and his US counterpart discussed ‘coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions’ by Beijing in the South China Sea, as a diplomatic row intensifies between the two Asian neighbors https://t.co/DOhf9swBsK
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command announced on Tuesday that it will conduct a series of live-fire combat training and drills along the Chinese side of the China-Myanmar border. #PLA https://t.co/DyKsRIktpI
Philippines, U.S. top security officials discuss China's 'coercive, aggressive' actions, Manila says https://t.co/RPl09HEd79 https://t.co/AkPo9vYeki
#ChinaDailyEditorial Manila should realize it is on a collision course if it continues with its unwise and irresponsible adventurism. #SouthChinaSea #RenaiReef #HuangyanIsland https://t.co/FDKNCkdDKj
PLA to conduct live-fire combat drills along China-Myanmar border https://t.co/CCEREKE1ad https://t.co/xjqxVoNN0v
FM spokesperson: Filipino policy should not undermine China's territorial sovereignty https://t.co/uD5IBsbnud
China exposes Philippines' reneging on South China Sea commitment https://t.co/CyvUtcj5T0
“The United States reaffirms that Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea,” @HuXijin_GT @globaltimesnews https://t.co/73qaVJyYM1
Chinese navy drills a ‘timely and forceful response’ to Philippines’ tilt to US https://t.co/e0DZoiyB2r
The #PLA conducted combat training in the #SouthChinaSea ...... to take on ….. “enemy armed fishing boats” This is aimed to bully the #Philippines https://t.co/NtkCIaPHuU
Japan and the Philippines sit in arguably the most critical locations for the U.S. for defending Taiwan against a potential Chinese invasion. This means the new trilateral grouping could grow into something even more substantial than the Quad and Aukus. https://t.co/2M1KkDNHWi
First U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral to address China's 'gray zone' tactics https://t.co/nLyY9rUbyJ Leaders seek to deepen economic ties as Beijing tests American treaty commitments.
China’s attack on the Philippines at Second Thomas Shoal is imminent. Chinese government propaganda outlets continue to set the stage for attack. And in their own perverted way, they continue to concurrently be the beligerent aggressor as well as the victim. @globaltimesnews https://t.co/EsYJlte4bo
China sent their top ‘retired’ PLA General and their ‘retired’ ambassador Cui Tiankai to threaten U.S. Combatant Commanders this week. They told us that they will ‘take’ the Second Thomas Shoal in the Philippines 🇵🇭 and that the U.S. should stay out of their business. https://t.co/Mo10hj0Dwu https://t.co/aHbUCw3qG5
First U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral to address China's 'gray zone' tactics https://t.co/VsYKx348gi
🇨🇳PLA Southern Theater Command conducted real combat training in the South China Sea. The 🇵🇭Marcos Jr administration should notice this: 🇨🇳PLA organized combat training exercises in simulated strikes of “enemy” armed fishing boats harassing China in its sea areas. In my… https://t.co/InIfXSM51L