China warns ‘outsiders’: Stay out of sea dispute

From the Daily Tribune (Jun 7): China warns ‘outsiders’: Stay out of sea dispute

China has signaled for the United States and other members of the Group of 7 (G7) to stay out of disputes over the South and East China Sea, saying Beijing will not hesitate to respond to provocations infringing on its sovereignty or that of undermining maritime peace and stability.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China has always been a steadfast force in maintaining peace and stability in the South and East China Sea as well as in safeguarding the United Nations charter, basic codes of international relations and fundamental principles of international law.

Hong was reacting to the G7 summit’s latest communique expressing concern over the regional maritime tensions.

The G7 leaders in a statement at the end of a first day of talks in Brussels said they “are deeply concerned by tensions in the East and South China Sea.”

“We oppose any unilateral attempt by any party to assert its territorial or maritime claims through the use of intimidation, coercion or force.”

But Hong stressed China firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and national security, maintains order and navigation freedom in its water area and airspace, according to relevant international law and conventions.

According to the Chinese official, Beijing has committed to resolving disputes regarding maritime disputes through bilateral negotiation and discussions with directly concerned parties.

“Practices have proved negotiation and discussions among directly concerned parties are the most effective way for resolving disputes, and it will deteriorate the disputes and increase the instability of the region if more parties are involved,” Xinhua quoting Hong as saying.

The spokesman said China hopes countries outside the region to resolve disputes with respect of objective facts and a fair position, instead of intensifying the tension, building antagonism and complicating the regional situation.

China is locked in territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely.

The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam claim parts of the sea, with Manila and Hanoi being the most vocal in opposing China’s claims.
Taiwan is also a claimant.

Japan nationalized the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, which China also claims and calls the Diaoyus, in 2012, setting off a tense confrontation with Beijing.

In Manila, the Department of National Defense (DND) yesterday said the latest reclamation activities of China on two disputed areas in the South China Sea, locally called West Philippine Sea, only deteriorate the already “fragile” stability in the region.

Peter Paul Galvez, spokesman of the DND, said that per latest monitoring by Philippine authorities, China has been conducting reclamation on Calderon or Cuarteron Reef and Gaven Reef, both part of the Kalayaan islands Group (KIGs) or the Spratlys in the West Philippine Sea.

The activities on Calderon Reef were discovered last week of March while that in Gaven Reef were reported last week of May.

Galvez said such activities by China are blatant disregard of the Declaration of Conduct (DOC) signed by all claimant-countries, including China.

“It’s a serious concern and blatant disregard of the DOC,” he stressed.
“These will cause further deterioration of the fragile balance of peace and stability in the region,” he added.

On Thursday, President Aquino announced the latest Chinese activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea. He expressed concern over the latest developments in the area.

Galvez stressed the government’s stand for all claimant-countries to observe rule of law.

He said the latest developments in the KIGs only highlight the need for a biding Code of Conduct among the countries which have overlapping claims over the territories believed to be rich with oil and other minerals.

“We reiterate strict observance of international law and agreements in peacefully settling concerns and the urgency of coming up with the code of conduct,” said Galvez.

Aside from its activities in Gaven and Calderon reefs, China is also conducting reclamation activities on Mabini Reef.

Chinese increased activities in the West Philippine Sea have sparked tensions with both the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Philippines had filed formal complaint against China before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Seas (Itlos) which already gave Beijing until December 15 this year to defend its claims over the territories in the West Philippine Sea.

China, however, continues to refuse participation in the international tribunal.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/china-warns-outsiders-stay-out-of-sea-dispute