China on Tuesday hit back at the Philippines' accusation of an "increasing presence and activities of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea" as being "unacceptable" and asked Manila to stop harming China's maritime rights and interests.
"Chinese vessels were cruising and carrying out scientific studies in waters under China's jurisdiction, and their activities were in line with the law," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters on Tuesday, urging the Filipino side to stop making irresponsible remarks that go against the facts.
For the side of the Philippines, the West Philippine Sea’s UNLOS 200 Nautical Mile Exclusive Economic Zone is not under China’s jurisdiction and must have to ask a formal approval from the Philippine Government before conducting any research within the Philippine waters. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei words only means that they are now claiming the Philippine waters as under their jurisdiction.
Beijing said its position on the South China Sea is consistent and clear-cut and is in accordance with the international law.
While UNCLOS 200 Nautical Mile Exclusive Economic Zone’s concern, Beijing is violating the International Laws and must be penalize.
The Philippines said Saturday that China's move to dispatch vessels to "disputed areas" of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) "hampers the normal and legitimate fishing activities of the Filipino fishermen" and "undermines the peace and stability of the region," according to AFP.
Filipino Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin claimed on Tuesday that the US had a stake in the stability, security and freedom of the world's second-busiest sea lane.
"The US presence is a deterrence to any unlawful activity in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)," Reuters quoted Gazmin as saying to reporters.
The US has forward bases in East Asia and its carrier battle groups have also been making regular visits to the Philippines, where it used to maintain two huge bases until 1992.
Speaking at the 10th Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Hungary, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Monday that any attempt to complicate the situation would be in nobody's interests.
Yang said the situation in the South China Sea is stable, that maritime security and freedom of navigation and fly-overs are obvious and that any attempts to make things otherwise are contrary to the will of the international community.
It is wrong for countries in the region to try and use Washington's power to counter Beijing as China will not make any concessions on its sovereignty, Zhuang Guotu, director of the Center for Southeast Asia Studies at Xiamen University, told the Global Times."Only dialogue and consultation among relevant countries in the South China Sea can bring peace and stability in the region," he added.
Hong reiterated on Tuesday that China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters.
Hong's remarks came in response to an anti-China demonstration in Hanoi to demand that China stay out of waters claimed by Vietnam.
He urged Vietnam to make earnest efforts to how appropriately handle maritime issues and maintain stability in the South China Sea.
Written by Makisig Bayani
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