Manila: The United States has expressed its disapproval to Beijing regarding China's recent dispatch of coast guard vessels near Taiwan, stating that such actions undermine regional stability, as communicated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a press event in Manila. Rubio emphasized that this topic is consistently addressed in discussions with China due to the U.S.'s firm disagreement with those actions, which are perceived to be in opposition to strategic stability efforts. According to Focus Taiwan, Rubio's remarks came in response to inquiries about whether he had discussed the issue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during their meeting at the ASEAN summit. Rubio, during the press event, reaffirmed the U.S.'s commitment to the principle of freedom of navigation, stressing that Washington will not accept any attempts to place international waterways under the control of other nations. He highlighted the policy differences between Washington and Beijing, noting the necessity of careful man agement to avoid any conflicts that could have significant global impacts. China initiated "special maritime law enforcement operations" in the waters east of Taiwan in June, reacting to Japan and the Philippines' discussions on maritime boundary delimitation. China views Taiwan as part of its territory and claims these talks infringe on its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. According to Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration, Chinese coast guard vessels have been active in these regions, even broadcasting messages to merchant ships to vacate the area. The United States, along with the de facto embassies of the United Kingdom, Germany, and France in Taiwan, expressed concern over China's operations near Taiwan in a June 24 statement, asserting that such actions threaten regional stability and opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion. The statement emphasized the importance of ensuring navigational rights, freedoms, and the safety of seafarers and vessels. Rubio also me ntioned that his meeting with Wang primarily focused on preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Washington in September. China's Xinhua News Agency reported that both officials viewed the meeting as practical and constructive, agreeing to utilize political and diplomatic channels to prepare for future high-level exchanges and progress towards a stable China-U.S. relationship. Rubio's visit to Manila is part of a four-day trip to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Regional Forum.
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