Members of the Philippine Coast Guard stand alert as a Chinese Coast Guard vessel blocks their way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, March 5, 2024…. Purchase Licensing Rights
INQUIRER | Published November 13, 2024
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on Wednesday to deliver the Philippines’ protest over China’s drawing of baselines around Bajo de Masinloc on November 10.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teresita Daza emphasized that the baselines infringe upon Philippine sovereignty and contravene international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
“The said baselines have no legal basis and are not binding on the Philippines,” said Daza.
China’s drawing of baselines came after the Philippines’ passage of its maritime and archipelagic sea lanes law.
The Chinese government has maintained its opposition to the Philippines’ new maritime law as it delimited and declared Beijing’s “baselines” of the territorial sea adjacent to Scarborough Shoal.
In a press conference on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said the Philippine Maritime Zones Act “illegally included” Panatag Shoal – which they call Huangyan Dao – into the country’s maritime zones.
“The act also aims to further solidify the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea in the form of domestic legislation. This move severely violates China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. We strongly condemn and firmly oppose it,” said Mao.
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SOURCE: www.inquirer.net
RELATED: China’s baselines near Scarborough Shoal aim to ‘exert more pressure’ on Philippines: analysts
China declared its maritime baselines around Scarborough Shoal after the Philippines passed laws defining its maritime zones and sea lanes last week
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST | Published November 13, 2024
The Philippines denouncement of China’s newly declared baselines around the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea reflects a new legal front in the territorial conflict, with analysts saying Beijing is “cherry-picking” maritime laws to legitimise its claims.
“What we see is an increasing demand by Beijing for us to concede our sovereign rights in the area,” Teodoro said after meeting Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Canberra, adding that the Philippines was a “victim of Chinese aggression”.
Also on Tuesday, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs announced that it has filed an official protest against China’s baseline declaration – its 56th complaint this year regarding disputes in the South China Sea.
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