China accuses Philippines of setting up ‘obstacles’ to attending Asean defence meeting
China has accused the Philippines of setting up “numerous obstacles” to attending a meeting with defence ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and of violating “basic diplomatic protocols”. The row, which follows years of tension over the two countries’ competing claims to the South China Sea, saw Beijing sending its defence attache to the meeting in Lapu-Lapu in the…
China has accused the Philippines of erecting "numerous obstacles" to attending an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) defence meeting, alleging the latter violated "basic diplomatic protocols". This dispute stems from years of tension surrounding each nation's conflicting claims to the South China Sea. Beijing sent its defence attache to the meeting, held in Lapu-Lapu, Philippines, marking the lowest-ranking Chinese representative at such an event since its inception in 2010.
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for China's defence ministry, claimed that the Philippines' actions have hindered China's participation, undermined the Asean principle of consensus, and infringed upon China's rights as a member of the mechanism. Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., however, rejected these accusations, stating that other Asean member states do not share China's assessment.
The summit, attended by defence leaders from Asean's member states and eight dialogue partners, coincided with a major Communist Party gathering in Beijing. The row highlights the ongoing tensions between Beijing and Manila over the South China Sea, where frequent confrontations have occurred between coastguards and maritime militia vessels near disputed features.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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