Lithuania’s defense chief praises Philippine campaign exposing China’s aggression
In a bold move to expose China’s aggression in the disputed South China Sea, the Philippines has launched a transparency initiative that has caught the attention of Lithuania’s defense chief. Lithuania’s Defense Minister, Dovilė Šakalienė, commended the campaign for revealing the true nature of China’s actions in the region, urging democratic nations to unite against a growing axis of authoritarian countries led by China and Russia.
The transparency initiative, set to kick off in 2023, aims to shed light on China’s aggressive behavior through the public dissemination of images depicting incidents in the disputed waters. Šakalienė emphasized the importance of exposing China’s harassment of the Philippine navy and fishermen as it dispels any notion of China being a peaceful neighbor.
The Defense Minister expressed solidarity with former Filipino senator Francis Tolentino, who recently faced sanctions from China for his outspoken criticism of Beijing’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
Šakalienė disclosed that she and her family were also sanctioned by China for their vocal opposition to China’s aggression and human rights violations. Despite these sanctions, Šakalienė remains steadfast in her stance against China’s coercive tactics.
The Defense Minister highlighted China’s disruptive activities in the Baltic Sea, where Chinese ships were reportedly involved in damaging undersea infrastructure belonging to European nations. She warned of the potential for similar sabotage in Asia, underscoring the need for vigilance against China and Russia’s destabilizing actions.
While the Philippines has been at the forefront of condemning China’s aggression in the South China Sea, other countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have been less vocal in their opposition. Šakalienė urged democratic nations to come together to counter the rising authoritarian bloc led by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The United States, as the Philippines’ oldest treaty ally in Asia, has reiterated its commitment to defend the country in the event of an armed attack. Šakalienė stressed the importance of solidarity among democratic nations in the face of authoritarian threats.
As tensions escalate in the South China Sea and beyond, the call for a united front against authoritarian regimes grows louder, echoing the sentiments of Lithuania’s Defense Minister.
___
This article includes contributions from Associated Press journalists Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila.
