China, Philippines quarrel over South China Sea row in Munich conference | ABS-CBN
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China, Philippines quarrel over South China Sea row in Munich conference
China, Philippines quarrel over South China Sea row in Munich conference
Published Feb 17, 2025 10:18 AM PHT
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Updated Feb 17, 2025 08:43 PM PHT
(UPDATED) Representatives from the Philippines and China quarreled Sunday over the South China Sea during a roundtable discussion at the 61st Munich Security Conference.
(UPDATED) Representatives from the Philippines and China quarreled Sunday over the South China Sea during a roundtable discussion at the 61st Munich Security Conference.
Speaking at the “Making Waves: Maritime Tensions in the Indo-Pacific” roundtable, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo asserted the Philippines remains steadfast in defending the rules-based international order and the rule of law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Speaking at the “Making Waves: Maritime Tensions in the Indo-Pacific” roundtable, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo asserted the Philippines remains steadfast in defending the rules-based international order and the rule of law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
"The basic issue here is that we are following international law. Whenever the Philippines undertakes any kind of activity within our exclusive economic zone, as defined by UNCLOS, we feel we are within our rights. But when another country, let's say, applies its own domestic laws to certain areas within our [exclusive economic zone], then it really does create the kind of tension that we have been experiencing, especially over the last two years,” Manalo said during the roundtable.
"The basic issue here is that we are following international law. Whenever the Philippines undertakes any kind of activity within our exclusive economic zone, as defined by UNCLOS, we feel we are within our rights. But when another country, let's say, applies its own domestic laws to certain areas within our [exclusive economic zone], then it really does create the kind of tension that we have been experiencing, especially over the last two years,” Manalo said during the roundtable.
He said countries who have signed agreements such as UNCLOS should abide by these agreements. “If this is not the case, then the rich, the powerful, who will actually be in a position to assert their own laws against the weaker countries, I believe then we're in for a period of even greater tension,” he noted.
He said countries who have signed agreements such as UNCLOS should abide by these agreements. “If this is not the case, then the rich, the powerful, who will actually be in a position to assert their own laws against the weaker countries, I believe then we're in for a period of even greater tension,” he noted.
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However, former Chinese vice-foreign minister Fu Ying said China cannot agree for the Philippines to occupy Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal “because that is a violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.”
However, former Chinese vice-foreign minister Fu Ying said China cannot agree for the Philippines to occupy Second Thomas (Ayungin) Shoal and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal “because that is a violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.”
“Everybody signed to it. I remember that language, not to make more moves, that language was watered down with the Filipino request in order for the Philippines to also sign up,” she said.
“Everybody signed to it. I remember that language, not to make more moves, that language was watered down with the Filipino request in order for the Philippines to also sign up,” she said.
“So we all agreed, if the Philippines can take new rocks, how can you stop others? How can you stop China from taking more? We are capable, there is no problem. But we are exercising constraints because we are committed to this DOC. So that's a red line no one should be allowed to cross.”
“So we all agreed, if the Philippines can take new rocks, how can you stop others? How can you stop China from taking more? We are capable, there is no problem. But we are exercising constraints because we are committed to this DOC. So that's a red line no one should be allowed to cross.”
The former diplomat also lambasted US intervention in territorial disputes, saying China has always had to balance both defense of its sovereignty and protection of regional peace.
The former diplomat also lambasted US intervention in territorial disputes, saying China has always had to balance both defense of its sovereignty and protection of regional peace.
“What concerns China now is the shadow of US behind the claimants that alerts the Chinese side. There’s a greater concern about losing the territories. We can, we cannot lose them, we have very strong position on ownership. But we, as one of the major countries in the region we have to take responsibility about the regional stability, so we have to constrain ourselves,” she said.
“What concerns China now is the shadow of US behind the claimants that alerts the Chinese side. There’s a greater concern about losing the territories. We can, we cannot lose them, we have very strong position on ownership. But we, as one of the major countries in the region we have to take responsibility about the regional stability, so we have to constrain ourselves,” she said.
As with previous statements from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fu also questioned the 2016 Arbitral Award.
As with previous statements from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fu also questioned the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“According to the Law of the Sea, one can go to arbitration on conditions. First, you should have exhausted the negotiations and that the issue be balanced. And the Philippines didn’t even tell us they went to arbitration and the result is very one-sided. And according to the Conventional Law, arbitration is not final, it can be challenged,” she said.
“According to the Law of the Sea, one can go to arbitration on conditions. First, you should have exhausted the negotiations and that the issue be balanced. And the Philippines didn’t even tell us they went to arbitration and the result is very one-sided. And according to the Conventional Law, arbitration is not final, it can be challenged,” she said.
Fu also insisted that Chinese military ships “operate quite professionally.” But Philippine Secretary Manalo was quick to refute all claims by Fu.
Fu also insisted that Chinese military ships “operate quite professionally.” But Philippine Secretary Manalo was quick to refute all claims by Fu.
“In 2023 and 24, the Philippine Coast Guard vessels experienced a number of incidents of ramming, water cannoning, even the use of laser. Our desire was that perhaps we could behave professionally…We use the mechanisms provided for by the IMO and not resort to water cannoning or ramming…by using these kind of tactics, we only raised tensions,” Manalo underscored.
“In 2023 and 24, the Philippine Coast Guard vessels experienced a number of incidents of ramming, water cannoning, even the use of laser. Our desire was that perhaps we could behave professionally…We use the mechanisms provided for by the IMO and not resort to water cannoning or ramming…by using these kind of tactics, we only raised tensions,” Manalo underscored.
Manalo also pointed out the significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Manalo also pointed out the significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“It’s clear that the Arbitral Award of 2016 is legally binding, it’s part of international law and our only hope is that one day, China can abide by the Arbitral ruling, it would certainly ease tensions,” he said.
“It’s clear that the Arbitral Award of 2016 is legally binding, it’s part of international law and our only hope is that one day, China can abide by the Arbitral ruling, it would certainly ease tensions,” he said.
For his part, Singapore Minister for Defense Ng Eng Hen noted that Chinese Coast Guard patrols have gone up to “about 2,000 ships a day, about a 20 per cent increase from last year to the previous.”
For his part, Singapore Minister for Defense Ng Eng Hen noted that Chinese Coast Guard patrols have gone up to “about 2,000 ships a day, about a 20 per cent increase from last year to the previous.”
This is apart from the 200 Chinese militia vessels around disputed features, which is a 35 per cent increase from 2022, he said.
This is apart from the 200 Chinese militia vessels around disputed features, which is a 35 per cent increase from 2022, he said.
He noted that in 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping said matters in Asia “ultimately must be resolved by Asians, and Asia's security ultimately must be protected by Asians”, which is a Monroe Doctrine.
He noted that in 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping said matters in Asia “ultimately must be resolved by Asians, and Asia's security ultimately must be protected by Asians”, which is a Monroe Doctrine.
However for Ng, the issue goes beyond territorial disputes.
However for Ng, the issue goes beyond territorial disputes.
“I think for the US, it’s easy to understand, it aims to maintain its dominance as a Pacific power…China’s actions in the South China Sea, if we are frank about it, are a response to US containment strategy…This dichotomy about showing strength, as well as trying to come in accommodation with its neighbors, is affecting its relations, especially its proximate neighbors, particularly claimant states. And that’s the reason why negotiations in the South China Sea Conduct have been protracted,” Ng explained.
“I think for the US, it’s easy to understand, it aims to maintain its dominance as a Pacific power…China’s actions in the South China Sea, if we are frank about it, are a response to US containment strategy…This dichotomy about showing strength, as well as trying to come in accommodation with its neighbors, is affecting its relations, especially its proximate neighbors, particularly claimant states. And that’s the reason why negotiations in the South China Sea Conduct have been protracted,” Ng explained.
US Senator Christopher Coons, a member of the US Senate’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, meanwhile was questioned, why the US is not a signatory to the UNCLOS.
US Senator Christopher Coons, a member of the US Senate’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, meanwhile was questioned, why the US is not a signatory to the UNCLOS.
“I think the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is an excellent convention, one who’s ratification I have supported, as have many senators. But the larger point is that the tradition globally, and for decades, of making sure that the seas are open for commerce has been a foundation of our role globally and many of our partners and allies in making sure that territorial claims and disputes between other nations doesn’t interfere with free commerce globally,” the US lawmaker said.
“I think the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is an excellent convention, one who’s ratification I have supported, as have many senators. But the larger point is that the tradition globally, and for decades, of making sure that the seas are open for commerce has been a foundation of our role globally and many of our partners and allies in making sure that territorial claims and disputes between other nations doesn’t interfere with free commerce globally,” the US lawmaker said.
Despite this, Coons reiterated the US commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, where 40 percent of global trade is concentrated. He also expressed confidence in the Philippine-US alliance.
Despite this, Coons reiterated the US commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, where 40 percent of global trade is concentrated. He also expressed confidence in the Philippine-US alliance.
“The US Philippines relationship remain strong, is rooted in a shared history and shared values, and I don’t think there’s any reason for the Republic of the Philippines to be concerned by some recent statements or events at this conference or this week. I do think we need to reassure our allies here in Europe and around the world that American commitments can be counted on and more than an occasional speech here or there, I think our actions are the way we will be judged in that regard,” Coons said.
“The US Philippines relationship remain strong, is rooted in a shared history and shared values, and I don’t think there’s any reason for the Republic of the Philippines to be concerned by some recent statements or events at this conference or this week. I do think we need to reassure our allies here in Europe and around the world that American commitments can be counted on and more than an occasional speech here or there, I think our actions are the way we will be judged in that regard,” Coons said.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
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