Malacañang on Friday hit back at China after Beijing's accusation that the Philippines is trying to “rope in” other non-claimant countries in the dispute over resource-rich parts of the South China Sea.
“We cannot be faulted if other countries have lauded the approach that we have decided to take in resolving this dispute that we have with our neighbor,” deputy presidential spokesperson Usec. Abigail Valte told reporters at a press briefing at the Palace.
Valte also reminded China that that its territorial dispute with the Philippines has international implications, particularly on global trade.
“While they may say that this is a regional matter, it cannot be denied that a significant number of global trade passes through that region, and again, it cannot be denied that it has an impact on those outside the region,” she said.
On Thursday, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun indirectly blasted the Philippines for “roping in countries from outside the region to get involved in the South China Sea issue.”
Reacting to the Philippines' recent military exercises with Japan, Yang also criticized Manila for “putting on a big show of force, deliberately exaggerating the tense atmosphere in the region.”
This week, Japanese and Philippine military planes flew twice near Recto (Reed) Bank off the coast of Palawan, which is being claimed both by Manila and Beijing.
Not exaggerating
At the same press briefing, Valte further countered the Chinese defense official’s claim that the Philippines is exaggerating tensions in disputed areas.
“We do not subscribe, as a matter of policy, to exaggeration. We do not base our discussions on exaggerated facts because it is not in our nation’s interest to do so,” she said.
“In fact, from the beginning of this dispute, we have advocated a rational discussion that is based on issues, as well as an objective view of facts as they happen,” she added.
In a separate text message, presidential spokesman Sec. Edwin Lacierda said China should stop its reclamation activities in the contested areas if it really wants tensions to simmer down.
“The question is: Will China, as a responsible member of the family of nations, listen to the reasonable voice of the international community?” Lacierda said.
Territorial dispute
Manila and Beijing have been locked in a territorial dispute over resource-rich parts of the South China Sea over the past years.
China uses the so-called “nine-dash line” to assert ownership of almost the entire South China Sea, while the Philippines uses the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as basis for its claim.
The Philippines, which calls the disputed areas the “West Philippine Sea,” has already sought international arbitration before a Netherlands-based tribunal to nullify China’s massive claims over South China Sea. Oral arguments on the case will begin next month.
Beijing, however, has refused to participate in the arbitration proceedings, insisting instead on bilateral talks to settle the dispute.
Despite the filing of the arbitration case, recent satellite images showed Beijing building artificial islands with buildings and piers in seven features in the West Philippine Sea.
Several countries, including Japan and the United States, have backed the Philippines’ call for a stop to these reclamation activities.
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