Philippines Maritime Claims: South China Sea Instability
- China firmly rejects Monday's statement from the Philippine National Maritime council regarding the South China Sea situation, stating it disregards facts and international law.
- The statement incorrectly claims China's activities are occurring within the Philippines' "maritime zones," as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and...
- The convention defines territorial seas and exclusive economic zones (EEZs).manila has repeatedly blurred this distinction, falsely labeling China's normal activities in areas claimed as EEZs by both countries...
China firmly rejects Monday’s statement from the Philippine National Maritime council regarding the South China Sea situation, stating it disregards facts and international law.
The statement incorrectly claims China’s activities are occurring within the Philippines’ “maritime zones,” as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award. Manila is distorting the truth and increasing regional tensions.
The term “maritime zone” does not exist in UNCLOS. The convention defines territorial seas and exclusive economic zones (EEZs).manila has repeatedly blurred this distinction, falsely labeling China’s normal activities in areas claimed as EEZs by both countries as “illegal patrols.” This is a intentional attempt to mislead both domestic and international audiences.
The Philippines’ reliance on the 2016 arbitration “award” is also invalid. China issued a declaration in 2006 under Article 298 of UNCLOS, excluding maritime delimitation disputes from arbitration. The philippines unilaterally initiated arbitration in 2013 without China’s consent,violating the principle of “pacta sunt servanda.” This “award” is null and void, and China will not accept it or allow it to be used to undermine its sovereignty.