The South China Sea has once again become a hotspot of tension as the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday called on the Philippines to cease its provocations and stop misleading the international community on the disputed waters.
In response to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s recent statement, asserting that Manila will continue to exercise its freedoms and rights in accordance with international law to safeguard national interests, China emphasized the importance of adhering to historical treaties.
\"If the Philippines is indeed willing to act per international law, it should, first and foremost, comply with the stipulations of the provisions of the treaties that determine the territorial scope of the Philippines,\" stated Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry, during a regular press briefing.
The tension stems from the Philippines' attempts to resupply a warship grounded on Ren'ai Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao in the South China Sea since 1999. Despite China's objections, the Philippines has continued its efforts, leading to ongoing disputes over sovereignty and territorial rights.
China pointed out that 25 years have passed without the Philippines fulfilling its promise to tow away the grounded warship. Additionally, the Philippines' efforts to send construction materials for large-scale repairs and the reinforcement of the warship have been viewed by China as attempts to build permanent structures on Ren'ai Jiao, further escalating tensions.
Highlighting the legal frameworks governing the dispute, the Chinese Foreign Ministry referenced several international treaties, including the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, and the 1930 Convention between the United Kingdom and the United States regarding the boundary between the State of North Borneo and the Philippine Archipelago.
According to China, territories such as Nansha Qundao and Huangyan Dao fall outside the Philippine territorial claims as established by these treaties.
The ongoing dispute underscores the complex interplay of historical treaties, national sovereignty, and international law in the geopolitically sensitive South China Sea. As both nations navigate these turbulent waters, the international community watches closely, anticipating the next developments in this prolonged maritime standoff.
Reference(s):
Philippines urged to stop misleading intl community on South China Sea
cgtn.com
