عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
World

Philippines to File Protest With China over South China Sea Air Incident

File photo of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel seen patrolling in the South China Sea. (AP)
File photo of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel seen patrolling in the South China Sea. (AP)
TT
TT

Philippines to File Protest With China over South China Sea Air Incident

File photo of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel seen patrolling in the South China Sea. (AP)
File photo of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel seen patrolling in the South China Sea. (AP)

The Philippines will file a diplomatic protest with China over a recent incident involving Air Force planes in airspace over a South China Sea shoal, Manila's Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Monday.
The Southeast Asian nation will continue maritime patrols in South China Sea despite the "dangerous and provocative" actions of China's Air Force last week, military chief Romeo Brawner told reporters.
The Philippines' military has complained of dangerous actions by two Chinese aircraft that dropped flares in the path of a Philippine Air Force aircraft conducting a routine patrol over the Scarborough Shoal on Aug. 8, reported Reuters.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said he hoped China would comply with international law and on the need to de-escalate tensions.
On Sunday, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos said China's actions were "
unjustified, illegal and reckless".
China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Saturday, Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army said the Philippine aircraft had illegally intruded despite repeated warnings.

Most Viewed

 
 
World

Türkiye’s Priority is Fulfilling NATO Responsibilities, Defense Minister Says

Türkiye's Defense Minister Yasar Guler, second left, speaks with members of his delegation during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in defense ministers session at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP)
Türkiye's Defense Minister Yasar Guler, second left, speaks with members of his delegation during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in defense ministers session at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP)
TT
TT

Türkiye’s Priority is Fulfilling NATO Responsibilities, Defense Minister Says

Türkiye's Defense Minister Yasar Guler, second left, speaks with members of his delegation during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in defense ministers session at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP)
Türkiye's Defense Minister Yasar Guler, second left, speaks with members of his delegation during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in defense ministers session at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP)

Türkiye is fully committed to its responsibilities to NATO, its defense minister told Reuters, amid concern amongst some Western allies that Ankara may be tilting away from the West.
Last month, President Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye wants to be a partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - a security, political and economic club launched in 2001 by Russia, China and Central Asian states as a counterweight to Western alliances - adding there was no reason for it not be a permanent member of the group.
Defense Minister Yasar Guler said in a written interview that Türkiye’s membership of NATO does not prevent it from developing relations with the SCO.
"Apart from that, our priority is to fulfill our responsibilities to NATO as an important ally and to strengthen the solidarity with our allies. Our focus should be that NATO is prepared, determined and strong," he added.
Ankara's interest in the BRICS group of nations and its friendly ties with Russia, namely in energy, tourism and defense, have stirred fears among Western nations that Türkiye's alliances may be pivoting. However, Ankara has repeatedly said it remains a committed NATO ally.
Since it was sanctioned by the United States and removed from the F-35 fighter jet program due to its acquisition of Russian S-400 defenses, Ankara has been working to procure 40 Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernisation kits from Washington. The deal was approved after Türkiye's blessing of Sweden's NATO bid.
Guler said the acquisition of the jets was continuing in line with the set calendar and talks on the details of the deal were underway.
"We are pleased with the accord reached on the procurement of the F-16s and modernisation, and we hope the project will be completed without a problem until the last jet is delivered," he said.
Asked whether Türkiye wanted to return to the F-35 program, Guler said talks between Ankara and Washington continued on the matter.
He added Türkiye remained interested in buying 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Germany, Britain, and Spain, but that there was no concrete development yet and he hoped for a positive response from its allies.