RP denies drill aimed at China

Thu, 04 Nov 1999, 00:00 WIB | Source: AFP

MANILA (AFP): Planned joint military exercises between the
Philippines and the United States are not aimed at China,
presidential spokesman Fernando Barican said here on Wednesday in
response to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.

Filipino military officials said the joint exercises are to be
held on and off the western Philippine island of Palawan, which
is near the Spratlys archipelago claimed in whole or in part by
Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Manila has accused Beijing of occupying and expanding
structures on Mischief Reef, which is within the Philippines'
200-mile exclusive economic zone, rattling bilateral ties.

China last week called on the Philippines to remove a naval
ship from the Second Thomas Shoal, some 20 nautical miles from
Mischief Reel, but Manila refused the request saying the ship was
undergoing repairs.

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