PHL ignores China’s 3-way proposal to address disputes

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 6): PHL ignores China’s 3-way proposal to address disputes

The Philippines on Tuesday ignored China’s three-way proposal to address the long-running disputes in the South China Sea, saying the problem lies in Beijing’s massive claim over the resource-rich waters.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week said the territorial rifts can be resolved through consultation and negotiation, the implementation of the non-binding code of conduct in the South China Sea and joint exploration.

“Can we once again re-direct China to the core issue which is its claim of indisputable sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea under its nine-dash line position,” Hernandez said referring to China tongue-shaped encirclement that features nine-dashes as Chinese territory.

Manila’s statement is the latest manifestation of long-standing territorial feud between China and the Philippines over South China Sea territories that have reignited in recent years by tense confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels in two disputed shoals – Scarborough and Ayungin – off Manila’s western coasts.

China’s massive claim to the South China Sea, or known in the Philippines as West Philippine Sea, and its persistent incursions in Philippine waters has prompted Manila to seek legal recourse through international arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS.

The ill-equipped Philippine military is no match to China’s, but the Philippines believes that justice can be dispensed equally through international law.

China refused to join the arbitration, saying the basis of Manila’s arguments are groundless.

“The Philippines has asserted before the arbitral tribunal to which China has been invited but has refused to participate that the nine-dash line claim is expansive, excessive and in gross violation of international law, specifically the UNCLOS. This is the core issue and it behooves China to address it,” Hernandez said.

Competing claims to the South China Sea, a strategic waterway believed to be sitting atop huge gas and oil deposits, by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have sparked occasional violence and now regarded as a potential regional flashpoint for armed conflict.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=552069