The Philippines on Wednesday called on China to change its stance on the United Nations’ arbitration in the two countries’ territorial dispute.
“We continue to urge China to reconsider its decision not to participate in the arbitration proceedings,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said on GMA News’ “24 Oras”.
“We wish to reiterate that arbitration is a peaceful, open and friendly resolution mechanism that offers a durable solution to the disputes in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea,” he added.
The international tribunal gave China until December 15 to answer the Philippines’ points, the report said.
“China’s stance of not accepting and not participating in the relevant Philippines’ arbitration case has not changed,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters on Wednesday.
Artificial island
The spokesperson also reacted to reports that China was supposedly planning to build an artificial island on a disputed reef in the West Philippine Sea.
The DFA is studying the designs to determine whether the supposed build-up can be added to the Philippines’ protests.
The Philippines previously protested China’s reclamation work in Mabini Reef, which is part of the territories being disputed in the South China Sea.
According to a blog called Tiananmen’s Tremendous Achievements, the artificial island will be a military base that will include an air strip.
The images on the blog of the planned base came from the website of the No. 9 design and research institute of China’s State Shipbuilding Corporation, the report said.
“It’s raising tension in the area and it’s in violation of international law,” Jose said.
Continued rotation
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin ensured that the rotation of supplies and Philippine troops in the South China Sea is ongoing amid increased tensions between China and Vietnam, also over territorial disputes in the area.
“Tayo ay nababahala, pero hindi naman tayo kinakabahan sapagkat ito’y ating responsibilidad na bigyan ng resupply yung ating mga tao doon at irorotate ‘yung personnel doon sa area,” Gazmin said.
A Vietnamese ship was sunk during a heated encounter with China, based on reports.
Last March, China also blocked Philippine vessels from replenishing supplies for troops stationed at the Ayungin Shoal in the Kalayaan Island Group. — Andrei Medina/BM/NB/ELR, GMA News
