China Still Claims Right To Spratlys, Opposes Arbitral Award Granted To PH
CHINA STILL CLAIMS RIGHT TO SPRATLYS – The 2016 arbitration ruling was yet again opposed by China.
According to the Chinese embassy, the award given to the Philippines during the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands was “illegal and invalid. According to an article from GMA, the Beijing Embassy in Manila stated:
China does not accept or participate in the arbitration, nor does it accept or recognize the so-called award.
On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin publicly called out China to acknowledge the ruling and the award. Locsin was among those who strongly opposed and protested the aggressive acts of China in the Spratlys.
READ: China Downplays US Promise To Defend PH In South China Sea
Along with this, Locsin emphasized that under international law, both China and the Philippines have to comply with their obligations to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. However, China decried his call and insisted:
territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea will under no circumstances be affected by this award.
China firmly opposes and will never accept any claim or action based on aforesaid award
But, instead of complying with the ruling, China said that it hopes the Philippines would continue to preserve the “hard-won sound momentum of bilateral relations”. Additionally, they said asked the Philippines to uphold peace and stability in disputed waters.
In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China-Philippines relations have maintained healthy and steady momentum, with exchanges and cooperation in various fields making continuous progress
Chinese Embassy
As per the article, Beijing claimed that they had historic rights over the South China Sea which is contested by countries like the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
READ ALSO: China Admits Putting Names On Islands Around South China Sea