PHL ignores China’s three-way proposal to address sea disputes shar.es/ysyEU via GMA News August 6, 2013 The Philippines on Tuesday ignored China’s three-way proposal to address the long-running disputes in the South China Sea, saying the problem lies in Beijing’s massive claim over the resource-rich waters. Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the territorial rifts can be resolved through consultation and negotiation, the implementation of the non-binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and joint exploration. But at a news briefing, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernandez said: “Can we once again re-direct China to the core issue which is its claim of indisputable sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea under its nine-dash line position.” Manila’s statement is the latest manifestation of longstanding territorial feud between China and the Philippines over South China Sea territories that have reignited in recent years by tense confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in two disputed shoals – Panatag (Scarborough) and Ayungin (Second Thomas Reef) – off Manila’s western coasts. China’s massive claim to the South China Sea and its persistent incursions in Philippine waters have prompted Manila to seek legal recourse through international arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS. The Philippines refers to portions of the South China Sea as West Philippine Sea. The ill-equipped Philippine military is no match to China’s, but the Philippines believes that justice can be dispensed equally through international law. China refused to join the arbitration, saying the basis of Manila’s arguments are groundless. “The Philippines has asserted before the arbitral tribunal to which China has been invited but has refused to participate that the nine-dash line claim is expansive, excessive and in gross violation of international law, specifically the UNCLOS. This is the core issue and it behooves China to address it,” Hernandez said. Competing claims to the South China Sea, a strategic waterway believed to be sitting atop huge gas and oil deposits, by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have sparked occasional violence and now regarded as a potential regional flashpoint for armed conflict. — Michaela del Callar/RSJ, GMA News
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 10:10:34 +0000
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