BEIJING — China’s military sent ships to patrol the South China Sea on Friday. This happened on the same day that Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Defense Secretary, visited the Philippines to show support for the country.
Why Does This Matter?
The South China Sea is a very important part of the ocean where many countries trade goods. Every year, ships carrying about $3 trillion worth of products pass through this sea! But the problem is that China claims almost the entire area, while other countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei say that parts of the sea belong to them too.
China’s Military Speaks Out
On Saturday, a military spokesperson from China’s Southern Theatre Command said that the Philippines is working with other countries, like the United States, to hold joint patrols in the area. China says that the Philippines is making “illegal claims” and causing problems in the region.
The U.S. Stands with the Philippines
While China was patrolling the sea, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. He met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to show that the United States supports the Philippines in this dispute.
On the same day, the United States, Japan, and the Philippines held naval exercises in the South China Sea. This was seen as a strong message to China.
What Happens Next?
The Philippine embassy in Beijing has not yet responded to China’s statement. But one thing is clear—tensions are rising in the South China Sea, and many countries are watching closely to see what happens next.
