Chinese and U.S. flags flutter outside a company building in Shanghai, China November 16, 2021. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — The United States and China – with relations strained by tensions over Taiwan – should deal with their “strategic rivalry” through “transparent and sincere engagement,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Manalo pointed out on Tuesday that the present and future ties between the global giants are crucial in defining regional peace and stability.
“As responsible powers, each with a stake in the region’s long-term peace and security, Washington and Beijing need to manage their strategic rivalry with dialogue, transparent and sincere engagement, where possible,” he said during the Center for Strategic and International Studies forum held in Washington.
The US is among the biggest international backers of Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy being claimed by Beijing.
Over the weekend, Beijing launched live-fire drills around Taiwan as a “stern warning” following a meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.
READ: China stages drills off Taiwan, warns PH anew on Edca
Manalo took note that the Philippine government has “always been very concerned” should tensions between both superpowers escalate since “any kind of escalation or, even worse, some kind of conflict – military conflict – would have really adverse repercussions on the Philippines.”
“Of course, it would probably have repercussions on the entire region, but particularly the Philippines, given our proximity,” he added.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has previously warned the Philippines against expanding its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) with the US government, saying this would “seriously harm Philippine national interests and endanger regional peace and stability.”
READ: China: New Edca sites to ‘seriously harm’ PH
Malacañang had previously pinned down the locations of four new Edca sites across the country, which would give American troops access to Philippine military bases near Taiwan and the West Philippine Sea – waters within the country’s exclusive economic zone which China also claims.
The embassy said the enhanced defense pact may just be a way for the US to drag the Philippines into its dispute with China over Taiwan.