PH rejects China definition of territory in West Philippine Sea - Marcos
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the country’s rejection of China’s claims over parts of the West Philippine Sea after the government summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Marcos said the summoning of the Chinese envoy by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was prompted by China’s marking of baselines around Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Bajo De Masinloc. The DFA has filed a protest, asserting that China’s actions violate Philippine sovereignty.
"Sinasabi nila that we do not agree and you will – that they will continue to protect what they defined as their sovereign territory," Marcos said. "Of course, we do not agree with their definition of sovereign territory."
The president said both sides stood firm in their opposing positions on sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
The National Maritime Council (NMC) condemned China’s establishment of baselines around Scarborough Shoal.
“These baselines violate the Philippines' long-standing sovereignty over the shoal, which is well-documented throughout history. China's establishment of these baselines around the shoal is a continuation of its illegal 2012 seizure, which the Philippines continues to strongly oppose,” the NMC said in a statement.
The council said China’s use of straight baselines contradicts the guidelines of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and disregards the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.
China has repeatedly dismissed the arbitral ruling, calling it “illegal” with no binding effect.
China’s announcement of baselines around Scarborough Shoal came just two days after President Marcos signed the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act into law, further defining the Philippines’ maritime boundaries in compliance with international law.
China criticized these laws, claiming they infringe on its own claims in the South China Sea.
“This move severely violates China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. China firmly opposes it and will take all necessary steps, in accordance with the law, to defend its sovereignty,” stated the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Despite China’s opposition, Marcos emphasized that the country will continue to assert its rights over the West Philippine Sea, firmly rejecting China’s definition of sovereign territory in the contested waters.
