News Roundup 12 July 2024
Jul 12, 2024 • 5 min Read
PH marks 8th anniversary of arbitral ruling on West Philippine Sea | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines marked on Friday the eighth anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 ruling that the nation has exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea (in the South China Sea) and that China’s “nine-dash line” is invalid.
“Over the years, the Philippines has continued to demonstrate this commitment to peace even in the face of the unlawful actions which have caused serious incidents in the South China Sea, without ever diminishing our resolve to protect and promote our people’s interest and the full and responsible enjoyment of our legally settled maritime entitlements and its accompanying rights and jurisdictions,” the DFA said in a statement.
“The Award is a reaffirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and protects our rights as a coastal state and a seafaring people. Every effort to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain is a testament to the determination and courage of the Filipino people, while showcasing the Philippines’ vision of peace and stability that inspires and resonates beyond the waters of the South China Sea,” it added.
China’s aggression is borne out of its sweeping claim over most of the South China Sea. In 2016, however, the arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China’s nine-dash — now ten-dash line — claims.
Full Story at: PH marks 8th anniversary of arbitral ruling on West Philippine Sea | INQUIRER.net
US airs deep concern over China aggression in West Philippine Sea | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — On the eighth anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 ruling that the nation has exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, the United States (US) said it remains “deeply concerned” over China’s assertion of territorial sovereignty over areas within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.
“The US remains deeply concerned about [China’s] assertion of territorial sovereignty over vast areas that are clearly within the maritime jurisdiction of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, and where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply under international law,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement on Friday.
“Upholding the international law of the sea, as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, is in the interest of the entire international community and remains vital to the peace, security, and prosperity of all nations,” he emphasized.
Blinken called on China to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling and stop its “dangerous and destabilizing” actions in the South China Sea.
“In its ruling, the tribunal firmly rejected any [of China’s] territorial or maritime claim to areas determined by the tribunal to be part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. As provided under the Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on [China] and the Philippines,” he said.
Full Story at: US airs deep concern over China aggression in West Philippine Sea | INQUIRER.net
Philippines to ‘stand our ground’ in South China Sea dispute | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will “stand our ground” in a dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea, a top security official said Friday, eight years after an international ruling against China in the territorial contest.
Tensions over the strategic waterway, a key passage for sea-borne trade, have soared in the past 18 months following a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese ships.
The most serious happened on June 17, when China Coast Guard personnel wielding knives, sticks and an axe surrounded and boarded three Philippine Navy boats during a resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
While the countries agreed last week to “de-escalate tensions” over the disputed reefs and waters, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said Friday that Manila would not back down.
“We will continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence and other tactics that seek to jeopardise our security and stability,” Ano said at an event celebrating the anniversary of the ruling by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration.
Full Story at: Philippines to ‘stand our ground’ in South China Sea dispute | Philstar.com
Japan warns on China, North Korea in defence white paper | PHILSTAR.COM – TOKYO, Japan — Joint military activities around Japan by China and Russia are of “grave concern” and North Korea poses a greater threat than ever, Tokyo’s defence ministry said Friday.
In its annual white paper, the ministry outlined its stance on issues from tensions around Taiwan to the intensifying rivalry between China and the United States.
Repeated joint sorties by Chinese and Russian ships around Japan “are clearly intended as a demonstration of force against Japan and are a grave concern from the perspective of national security,” it said.
North Korea, meanwhile, which often conducts missile tests in Japan’s direction, poses a “more grave and imminent threat to Japan’s national security than ever before”.
In previous years, the defence paper has raised the need to counter regional threats including growing Chinese military clout and a nuclear-armed North Korea.
Japan plans to double its defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027, although the falling value of the yen may dent its purchasing power.
This year, the paper noted that Beijing regularly sends ships to areas close to disputed islands in the East China Sea — reiterating that China’s military ambitions are “the greatest strategic challenge” to Japan and the world.
Full Story at: Japan warns on China, North Korea in defence white paper | Philstar.com
