China continues to dismiss the 2016 arbitral ruling that recognized the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, calling the verdict "illegal" and "invalid."
A spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines accused Manila of aligning with the US and other Western nations to oppose China in the maritime dispute. "The Philippine side clings onto this illegal, invalid arbitral award at the expense of its relations with China," the spokesperson stated, adding that the Philippines' stance would only distance it further from resolving the conflict amicably.
GMA News Online has requested comments from the Palace and the Department of National Defense regarding these statements but has yet to receive a response.
Philippines' Commitment to Rule of Law
The Philippines commemorated the eighth anniversary of the ruling on Friday, reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and peaceful dispute resolution in the South China Sea. Manila acknowledged international support, particularly from the Group of Seven and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
However, China accused the Philippines of causing regional tensions. "The said arbitration is essentially a political circus dressed up as a legal action," the Chinese Embassy spokesperson remarked. They claimed the Philippines violated agreements to resolve disputes through consultation and negotiation as stated in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).
Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea overlap with those of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. The Philippines refers to parts of these contested waters as the West Philippine Sea.
No comments:
Post a Comment