Yasay to China: Rule of law must be respected “uncompromisingly”

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 11): Yasay to China: Rule of law must be respected “uncompromisingly”

Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay on Thursday called on China to “uncompromisingly” respect the rule of law as Beijing continues to beef up its military structures in disputed reefs in the South China despite an international tribunal ruling that invalidated its massive claim in the resource-rich waters.

Yasay, who made the statement at a joint press conference with visiting Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Davao City, said the Philippines was one with Japan in expressing “grave concern” in the situation in the South China Sea.

“We invoke and urge China to make sure that maritime order and security and the rule of law must completely and uncompromisingly be respected,” Yasay said.

The Philippines and Japan are both embroiled in separate territorial disputes with China. The Philippines is locked in a long-running sea row with China over parts its exclusive economic zone being claimed by Beijing off an area of the South China Sea that Manila calls the West Philippine Sea. Japan and China, on the other hand, are contesting ownership over islands called Senkaku by Japan and Diaoyu in Chinese.

Recent satellite images show that China has reinforced construction of fighter-plane hangars in Fiery Cross, Mischief Reef and Subi Reefs – features that are within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

China claims a huge swathe of the South China Sea as part of its territory, but an international tribunal in The Hague invalidated this claim in July 12 following a case filed by the Philippines in 2013.

Beijing has ignored and belittled the ruling, maintaining it has “indisputable” and “historical” claim over nearly the entire waters even as it encroaches on the territories of its smaller neighbors like the Philippines.

Kishida said maritime order based on the rule of law is “indispensable” for regional stability and prosperity.

“It is important to base ourselves on the rule of law and to resolve through peaceful means and not the use of force or coercion,” he said.

Japan, Manila’s strategic ally next to the United States, “will continue to provide support for the improvement of the maritime security capabilities of the Philippines,” Kishida said.

Aggressive actions, Yasay said, “is the not the kind of actions that is mandated by international law.”

“If anyone, including China, has any particular claim that it asserts over any particular territory, it must bring this within the concept of a peaceful resolution under international law and respect that rule of law,” he said.

Since the Philippines share the same experience with Japan, Yasay stressed “in the strongest manner” that everyone “must respect our maritime order and security in this area in the South China Sea, in the East China Sea and urge them to be firm in their respect for the rule of law.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=912906