China vows to keep up military pressure on the Philippines as territorial dispute grows tenser

BEIJING: China's foreign minister Wang Yi says the country will maintain military pressure on the Philippines amid a dispute over sovereignty in the South China Sea that could involve US forces defending their treaty partner.
In a phone conversation Wednesday with his Philippine counterpart, Enrique A Manalo, Wang "warned that if the Philippine side misjudges the situation, goes its own way, or even colludes with ill-intentioned external forces to continue to stir up troubles, China will defend its rights in accordance with law and respond resolutely," the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Wang's comments follow China's mobilization of its coast guard and maritime militia to block Philippine supply missions to support its soldiers and fishermen. China claims sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea, one of the world's most crucial waterways for shipping, putting it at odds with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei, who all maintain claims over islands, reefs and undersea resources in the region.
In particularly sharp comments, Wang was quoted as accusing the Philippines of having "changed its policy stance so far, reneged on the promises it has made, provoked troubles at sea, and undermined China's legitimate and lawful rights."

"Noting that the bilateral relationship now stands at a crossroads, with its future yet to be decided, Wang said the Philippine side must act with caution," Xinhua reported Thursday.
"Instead of continuing in the wrong direction, the Philippine side should return to the right path as soon as possible, with properly handling and managing the current maritime situation as a top priority," Wang was quoted as saying. Wang gave no details on what agreements Manila had allegedly abandoned.

Manalo's office described the conversation as a "frank and candid exchange," saying the sides had reached a "clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues."
Territorial disputes have grown tenser as China seeks to cement its territorial claims in defiance of the US and its allies, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, and close partner Taiwan, which China claims as a breakaway province and