Manila: Following the United States, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and France have started posing challenges to Chinese aggression, in the South China Sea. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, the French Foreign Minister, declared that the patrolling by the French destroyers in the South China Sea would continue, for the safety of the marine freight movement, in that region. Foreign Minister Lemoyne gave this information after a French destroyer sailed through the South China Sea. This announcement by the French Foreign Minister becomes a new challenge posed in front of China, at a time, when there is a conflict like situation created in the South China Sea.
The French destroyers have increased their patrolling in the South China Sea. A few weeks ago, France had made this announcement. While talking to a Philippines news channel, French Foreign Minister Lemoyne said that patrolling in the South China Sea is the responsibility of his country. Foreign Minister Lemoyne said that France had clarified its position on the South China Sea, during the recently held, Shangri La meeting.
Saying ‘France is an important country in the Indo-Pacific region. There are 7,000 French soldiers deployed in this region. Therefore, France is also responsible for the security of the marine freight movement in the region.’ Lemoyne clarified that the French patrolling in the South China Sea would not be discontinued. A Chinese reaction is expected regarding the French announcement.
A few weeks ago, a French destroyer sailed through the Taiwanese Gulf. China objecting to this sailing had claimed that Taiwan was a sovereign Chinese territory objecting to the patrolling by the French destroyer. Whereas, Taiwan had welcomed the patrolling by the French destroyer.
Meanwhile, more than USD three trillion worth of goods, pass through the South China Sea. The South China Sea is considered to be the second most sensitive marine region after the Persian Gulf. China has claimed right over most of the South China Sea. At the same time, China has built more than 100 artificial islands in this marine region and is militarising them. The United States and its allies have increased their patrolling in the South China Sea objecting to the Chinese activities.
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