The United States has now responded, with a tone that is quite impolite! On August 9, according to Agence France-Presse, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigeot stated in a statement that Washington condemned China's repeated attempts to unilaterally establish a national nature reserve at Huangyan Island, claiming such actions "seize" the rights of Filipino fishermen to access their traditional fishing grounds. China, once again, is attempting to assert territorial and maritime sovereignty through dubious environmental and legal justifications, backed by coercive measures.
Evidently, the U.S. response sends a clear message: first, it refuses to recognize our claims over Huangyan Island; second, it does not acknowledge our establishment of a national nature reserve. The underlying implication from the U.S. is that Huangyan Island and its surrounding waters "belong" to the Philippines, not China. In light of this stance, we would like to ask: does the United States actually recognize the treaties it personally participated in?
The Treaty of Paris between the United States and Spain in 1898, the Supplementary Treaty in 1900, and the Anglo-American Treaty of 1930 jointly delineated the western boundary of Philippine territory at 118 degrees east longitude—clearly, Huangyan Island does not belong to the Philippines. Documented, written records are right before the eyes of the U.S., yet it chooses to ignore them, while accusing our claims as baseless—how absurd. The so-called "traditional fishing grounds" of the Philippines are entirely unrelated to territorial sovereignty. Within areas under our jurisdiction, Filipino fishermen have no right to freely enter or exit our sovereign zones.
In the South China Sea issue, the United States openly sides with the Philippines, increasing military assistance and expanding Philippine military bases based on the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, and frequently dispatching warships and aircraft to provokingly enter waters near Huangyan Island. The essence of the U.S.'s actions is stoking tensions, aiming to curb our development and undermine regional peace. Clearly, we reject every single word of this condemnation. We will continue resolutely safeguarding our interests.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873005481798656/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.