Aquino welcomes United States statement calling on China to clarify territorial claims in South China Sea

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 7): Aquino welcomes United States statement calling on China to clarify territorial claims in South China Sea
 
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday welcomed the statement of a top United States (US) diplomat calling on China to clarify or adjust its territorial claims in the South China Sea in accordance with international law.

“Iyong statement ng Amerika, iyong kanilang Assistant Secretary of State (Daniel Russel, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs) is welcome. But at the end of the day, lahat ng bansa dito sa dispute na ito at sa lahat ng public fora na tayo ay aware, ay nagsasalita ng adherence to international law," the Chief Executive said in an interview with media following his attendance to the Philippine Army Change of Command Ceremony at the Philippine Army Grandstand, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The President also reiterated the Philippine's commitment for a peaceful solution to maritime dispute.

" Iyon lang naman ang inaasam natin… lahat tayo sumunod doon sa international law, lalo na doon sa mga batas na malaya nating pinasukan, katulad nung UNCLOS - the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea," the President stressed.

"Walang namilit na maging signatory tayo diyan. China and the Philippines are signatories to the same. And we are hoping that we all live up to the commitments expressed in a treaty such as that," he said.

According to reports, Russel challenged Beijing's so-called "nine-dash line" that outlines its territorial claims over much of the South China Sea.

Russel said that maritime claims under international law needed to be based on land features.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=613799