On Thursday, May 29th, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs protested against the provocative behavior of the Chinese Communist regime in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. The department emphasized in a statement that the Chinese regime has no right to interfere with the Philippines’ legitimate and routine activities in the South China Sea.
The statement highlighted that the Philippines rejects the recent statements regarding South China Sea sovereignty made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila and refuted Beijing’s claim of “undeniable sovereignty” over the Spratly Islands.
Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, stated in a release, “We urge China to respect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Philippines, and we will continue to handle disputes and respond to maritime situations peacefully and in accordance with the law.”
Last week, Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannons at Philippine vessels and rammed one of them in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries later stated that a Philippine research vessel was conducting marine research near the disputed reefs, collecting sand samples, at the time when the Chinese coast guard engaged in dangerous actions endangering the lives of Filipino crew members.
Daza reiterated, “The Philippines clearly has the right to conduct routine maritime operations and scientific research in these waters and surrounding areas, and will continue to do so… China has no right to oppose or interfere with these legitimate routine activities.”
The Chinese authorities claim sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including natural and artificial reefs and islands. These claims overlap with those of countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea had no basis in international law. However, China has consistently refused to accept the arbitration ruling.
China has also constructed artificial islands in the South China Sea, complete with runways, radar towers, ports, and missile systems.