Chinese observers claim that the U.S. uses the South China Sea to jeopardize China's bilateral ties with other nations. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese observers consider the joint military drill of the U.S. and the Philippines as a means to jeopardize the country, predicting that the passage of U.S. Navy vessels proximal to the Nansha Islands serves the Western nation's interest at the cost of China's, China Daily reported.
According to Yang Xiyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, Philippine capital Manila is "eager to expand its territory to China's Meiji Reef in the South China Sea," the article said.
Yang further suggested that the U.S. "might use its joint drill with the Philippines to show support for the expansion," adding that "it's highly possible that U.S. forces will choose Meiji Reef for their passage."
Earlier, Reuters cited an unnamed source noting that the U.S. Navy eyes to send ships via a passage located near the Meiji Reef this April. Such move would be the third in a series that have already earned ire and criticism from China.
For the past months, the U.S. has been conducting "freedom of navigation exercises" near Zhongjian Island, part of the Xisha Islands, and Zhubi Reef, part of the Nansha Islands.
Yang shared that the number as well as the scale of vessels near the Chinese territories are not likely to be lower than the two challenges previously held by the U.S.
According to Yin Zhuo, director of the People's Liberation Army Navy's Expert Consultation Committee, the U.S. has been utilizing the South China Sea to imperil Beijing's diplomatic ties with its neighboring nations and "draw Japan, the Philippines and Australia into a collective containment of China," the article said.
Yin pointed out that the recent move by the U.S. will all the more escalate tensions in the region.
"Eager to undercut China's mounting regional influence, some specific nations take delight in sowing seeds of discord between China and rival claimants, and boosting their military presence and patrols to thwart China in the name of safeguarding freedom of navigation," Xinhua stressed in one of its commentaries.
The 11-day military exercise which kicked off on April 4 is participated in by around 8,000 U.S. and Filipino troops.
