US State dep’t chief, on first day, warns China
WASHINGTON—US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his first full day in office Tuesday warned jointly with Japan, India and Australia against coercive actions in Asia, in a veiled but clear warning to China over its actions at sea.
Rubio met in Washington with his counterparts from the so-called Quad a day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has vowed to push back against a rising China.
But the gathering also marks a contrast with Trump’s frequent dismissal of US allies and partners, with the returning US president on Tuesday threatening tariffs against the European Union.
Friction with PH
Rubio and his counterparts in a joint statement promised to work toward a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” deploying a codeword against Chinese aggression that has been utilized by US administrations from both major political parties.
The four said they support a region “where the rule of law, democratic values, sovereignty and territorial integrity are upheld and defended.”
“We also strongly oppose any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion,” the statement said.
The ministers also confirmed they would work to hold a Quad summit previously scheduled for this year in India, which would mean an early trip by Trump to the growing US partner often viewed in Washington as a bulwark against China.
China has had rising friction with the Philippines, a US ally, over its assertive claims in territorial disputes.
Rubio in his confirmation hearing also vowed to deter China against an invasion of Taiwan, the self-governing democracy it claims as its own.
Trump during the campaign rattled Taiwan by saying it needed to pay the United States protection money, and Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, made headlines at his confirmation hearing by not being able to name a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
CCG ships linger
The Quad was envisioned by late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and expanded into a leaders’ summit by former President Joe Biden.
China has repeatedly lashed out at the Quad, saying it is a US plot to encircle the rising Asian power.
In Manila, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels had maintained their presence near the coast of Zambales and at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, the PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the 77.7-meter CCG vessel 3103 was spotted about 141 kilometers off Pundaquit in Zambales.
It was prevented from getting nearer the Zambales coastline by the presence of a PCG ship, the BRP Suluan, which had conducted a “close monitoring” of the larger Chinese vessel, Tarriela said.
Another Chinese vessel, CCG 5901, known as the “Monster” for being the largest of its fleet, was spotted Tuesday night at 209 km from Zambales coast, still within the 370-km Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the official added. —WITH REPORTS FROM AFP AND NESTOR CORRALES
