MANILA, Philippines—China on Monday said it would not accept and
participate in the written argument submitted by the Philippines to the
United Nations (UN) International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
(Itlos) .
“China does not accept the international arbitration initiated by
the Philippine side. Disputes such as these have already been excluded
from arbitration procedures through a declaration made by China in 2006
pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Laws Of the Sea
(Unclos),” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told Chinese
reporters in a press briefing.
Hong said China urges the Philippines to adhere to using bilateral talks to resolve the maritime dispute.
Hong added that the direct cause of the dispute was the
Philippines’ illegal occupation of some Chinese islets adding that China
held a clear and consistent stance on its claims over the West
Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
According to Hong, China has “indisputable sovereignty over the Ayungin Shoal and its adjacent waters.”
Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose , meanwhile, said the
Philippine government maintains its position to resolve the maritime
dispute in a peaceful and diplomatic manner.
“We have been advocating peaceful settlement of the dispute
without resorting to force or threat of force,” Jose said in an
interview over Inquirer Radio 990AM.
Jose said the written argument or memorial submitted by the
Philippines to the arbitration committee of the United Nation is the
“most peacful, durable and lasting solution” to the maritime dispute.
He said the UN arbitral tribunal would continue the hearing of
the written memorial submitted by the Philippines even without China’s
participation and approval.
On Sunday, the Philippines submitted a 4,000-page written
pleading of the Philippines before an international tribunal against
China’s expansive claims over the West Philippine Sea.
Chinese coast guard vessels on Saturday blocked a civilian Philippine ship off the Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Islands .
The civilian ship brought supplies to Philippine soldiers
stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre that has been grounded at the Ayungin
Shoal, an area within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, but
which China claims as its own.
source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
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