Reported Chinese naval drills in WPS a “serious concern” – DFA

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 6): Reported Chinese naval drills in WPS a “serious concern” – DFA

The Philippines on Wednesday expressed “serious concern” over reports of Chinese naval drills in disputed waters of the South China Sea, which may include areas within Manila’s territory.

Chinese media reported that three Chinese frigates will conduct drill and patrol in the South China Sea passing through the East China Sea and the Bashi Strait. “While there is yet no official confirmation of this naval exercise from the Chinese government, the Philippines expresses serious concern over such activities that raise the military tension in the West Philippine Sea,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

China’s planned military exercises came amid the Philippine government’s filing two weeks ago of an arbitration case before the U.N. to try to declare Beijing’s expansive claim to the South China Sea, part of which is known in the Philippines as West Philippine Sea.

“The Philippines reiterates its call to China to peacefully resolve the dispute in the West Philippine Sea through the established legal means under international law including U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the DFA said.

“The Philippines again calls on China to respect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines over its Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf established under UNCLOS.” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said the DFA has yet to receive an official confirmation from China on the reported exercises.

“When we get the final or official confirmation of the naval exercises we will act appropriately,” he said.  Manila has maintained that a rules-based approach is the only legitimate way in addressing disputes through a legal framework such as the UNCLOS.  UNCLOS is a 1982 accord by 163 countries that aims to govern the use of offshore areas and sets territorial limits of coastal states.

The Philippines and China are both signatories to the treaty.  China is citing historical entitlements as basis for its huge claims over the South China Sea.  The South China Sea is dotted with islands, shoals, cays, reefs and rock formations and is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas. It is claimed in part or in whole by China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.  Many have feared the conflicts could be Asia's next flashpoint.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=495001