The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday said that it hoped
that China would listen to the “voice of international community” after it
sought Beijing’s clarification of a reported plan to board foreign ships
sailing through what it claims to be its territory in the West Philippine Sea
(South China Sea).
In a press conference, DFA
spokesperson Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez noted that since April, the DFA
had been talking with China “and doing up formal consultations for thirty-six
times already” so that the issue of the disputes in the West Philippine Sea
(South China Sea) could be resolved peacefully using international law.
“We have also been using the
offices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and of the other
international fora to bring this matter to China so that this could be resolved
peacefully in accordance with international law and we are hoping that China
would listen to the voice of the international community,” Hernandez said.
When pressed by reporters if the
department expected an answer from China, Hernandez said: “We are a responsible
member of the international community, and China is also expected to be a
responsible member of the community of nations so we expect that and we are
hoping that they would clarify this issue not only with the Philippines but
with the community of nations.”
Chinese state media had reported
that new rules, which would come into effect January 1, would allow police in
the Southern Province of Hainan to board and seize control of “foreign vessels
that illegally enter Chinese waters”.
The DFA had earlier said that it
sent a note verbale to the Chinese embassy in Manila seeking clarification of
the reported plan, saying that if confirmed to be accurate, it should be
“condemned by the international community as it violates maritime domains of
countries in the region and impede freedom of navigation”.
“If media reports are accurate,
this planned action by China is illegal and will validate the continuous and
repeated pronouncements by the Philippines that China’s claim of indisputable
sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea is not only an excessive
claim but a threat to all countries,” the DFA said in an earlier statement.
Hernandez, in the press
conference, noted that China had yet to issue a reply to the note verbale but
that the DFA had also made representations with the Chinese foreign ministry
through the country’s embassy in Beijing and that “we’re hoping that they would
reply as soon as possible”.
Aside from the Philippines,
Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim all or part of the territories
in these waters, which are believed to be rich in oil, mineral and marine
resources.
Asean Secretary General Surin
Pitsuwan had also expressed concern over China’s latest move, saying it was an
escalation of tensions in the region and was a cause of “great anxiety” among
disputing parties.
China, meanwhile, sought to
dispel tensions, with a foreign ministry spokesperson saying that Beijing paid
importance to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
“The navigation freedom countries
enjoy in the South China Sea according to international law should be
protected. China attaches importance to maintaining navigation freedom in the
South China Sea. There is no problem with it,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
Hong Lei told a Chinese press conference on November 30.
When asked about the issue, Hong
Lei said that China “carries out maritime management according to international
and domestic laws”.
“On the issue of the South China
Sea, it is China’s clear and consistent position to safeguard national
territorial sovereignty and rights and interests. We are also committed to
solving disputes with our neighbours through friendly consultation and
negotiation,” he said.
Fat Reyes
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