Aquino: China's plan defies int’l law

From Rappler (Nov 30): Aquino: China's plan defies int’l law

President Benigno Aquino III said China’s plan to board and expel ships “illegally entering” disputed waters violates freedom of navigation. Aquino said he ordered Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to ask for details about the report and prepare “appropriate responses.” The President said, "It seems it will be very hard to implement that because there is a particular provision in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea about Freedom of Navigation."

"Publicly, China said several times that it will not hinder freedom of navigation. Now, we can see on the surface that this (plan) seems to be contrary to their off stated public statements,” Aquino said in Filipino during an interview in Cebu on Friday, November 30. Chinese state media reported that the Chinese province of Hainan passed regulations allowing police to board and seize control of foreign ships “illegally entering” the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea.) The China Daily report said illegal activities include entering Hainan’s waters without permission, damaging coastal defense facilities, and engaging in publicity that “threatens national security.”

Aquino said he read the reports but wants to find out the details to determine what action to take. “If we prove that there was indeed that order, it’s not just a proposal, we will lodge a diplomatic note or a formal protest and it also tells us where to go to in terms of advancing our interest.” Aquino said China’s move may even be grounds for the Philippines to elevate the territorial dispute to international bodies.  “We might accelerate and bring it before the appropriate international tribunal to finally settle the matter or at least start the process of settling it legally and concretely.”......

http://www.rappler.com/nation/17052-aquino-china-s-plan-defies-int’l-law