Philippines, China spat escalates over ‘misguided’ South China Sea claims as Blinken visits region

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Chinese ships attempt to block Philippines supply ships

Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reports on China’s growing aggression in the South China sea.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to touch down in the Philippines Monday as tensions between Beijing and Manila continue to escalate over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs on Sunday clapped back at “baseless and misleading” statements issued by China last week that suggested it had “historic rights” to the international waters after a spokesperson for its foreign ministry said China was the “first country to discover, name, explore and exploit” the international waters. 

“The Philippines maintains a firm stand against misguided claims and irresponsible actions that violate Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in its own maritime domain,” the department said in a statement. 

In this handout photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship uses water cannons on Philippine navy-operated supply boat M/L Kalayaan as it approaches Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, in the disputed South China Sea on Dec. 10, 2023. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

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China in recent years has repeatedly looked to assert control over hundreds of miles of the South China Sea despite internationally recognized Exclusive Economic Zones maintained by nations like the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Beijing’s increasingly aggressive posture is set to be a leading issue amid Blinken’s trip Monday.

“It’s inevitable that anytime you are going to talk with partners in the region you have to talk about China,” a senior State Department official told reporters. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he boards an airplane to depart for the Philippines from Osan Air Base, in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Monday, March 18, 2024. (Evelyn Hockstein/Pool Photo via AP)

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Blinken, who first stopped in South Korea over the weekend, will reiterate the Biden administration’s “ironclad” commitments to regional partners as security concerns continue to mount in the Indo-Pacific. 

“Our focus is on maintaining peace and stability and respect for international law,” the senior official said.

Philippine soldiers look at Philippine Coast Guard vessels near Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea on Dec. 1, 2023. (Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images)

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“We are concerned any time you see these tensions in the maritime domain,” they added. “There is the risk of a miscalculation, there’s no doubt about it. “

“We’ve called in particular for China to show restraint and most importantly for China to respect international law,” the senior official added. 

Fox News Digital could not immediately reach the Chinese embassy in Manila for comment. 

Caitlin McFall is a Reporter at Fox News Digital covering Politics, U.S. and World news.