Xi Jinping urged the Chinese military to prepare for a military conflict amid tensions with the Philippines in the South Sea

president of china, Xi Jinpinghe asked the country's armed forces on Thursday Preparation for Military conflicts at seaThis request comes shortly after a collision between Chinese and Filipino ships in disputed waters in the South China Sea.

The President indicated that the goal is “Protecting the country’s maritime interests and developing the maritime economy” China stressed the importance of establishing a “space electronic defense system” and increasing the capabilities of the “national security network.”

This is what he spoke about during the beginning of the annual session of the National People's Congress of China, where he stressed the importance of launching “strategic capabilities in emerging regions.”

On the same Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed this China will continue to “legitimately” defend its rights in the South China Sea During a press conference within the framework of the general session. “Others should not be allowed to abuse good faith. Distortion of maritime laws cannot be accepted,” he said.

“We will take justified measures to defend our rights in accordance with the law and In the face of unnecessary provocationss. We will respond with legitimate and appropriate measures,” he explained, before pointing out that the Philippines and the United States are responsible for increasing tension in the region.

“We want certain countries outside the region to put aside provocations and stop causing more problems in the South China Sea,” Wang said.

Last Tuesday, the Philippines and China accused each other of a new collision between coast guard ships from the two countries in a disputed area in the South China Sea, adding to several incidents between ships from the two countries in recent months.

Since his arrival last year to the presidency Ferdinand Marcos JrAs for the Philippines, which during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022) approached China, it took its turn in seeking to strengthen its historic security alliance with the United States, especially in the face of increasing harassment by Chinese ships.

In 2023, Manila and Washington agreed North American forces arrive at four bases in the country, Three of them are located in the north of the archipelago.

China and the Philippines are locked in a conflict over sovereignty over several islands and atolls in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely for “historical reasons,” and also dispute territory with Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei.

This water is a A strategic region through which a third of global trade passes It contains important fishing and energy resources.

(With information from EFE and EuropaPress)