Chinese flags wave with Philippine flags along Roxas Boulevard in Manila on November 19, ahead of Chinese president Xi Jinping's state visit in the country. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The China Embassy in Manila issued a statement from an unnamed China Foreign Ministry spokesperson, calling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s speech on the West Philippine Sea at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue a “disregard” of “history and facts.”

The said spokesperson insisted that “China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, and sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters.”

“Nanhai Zhudao” is a China-made concept, consisting of the islands in the South China Sea (Paracels and Spratlys), or practically the 9-dash line. This concept, however, was rejected by the 2016 Arbitral Award that recognized Philippine maritime entitlements and sovereign rights.  

China’s claim  is largely based on early Chinese activities over 2,000 years ago, which allegedly include sailing and discovery of these features - concepts that modern day international law have already clarified.

During the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Marcos reiterated his administration's commitment to uphold the Philippines's sovereignty and to protect its territory amid challenges in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Marcos Jr. reiterates commitment to protecting PH sovereignty

He insisted that the rules governing the waters were derived from international law and that the Philippines' definition of its territory is based on international law and not through "baseless claims."

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) clearly defines a state’s territorial sea (12NM zone from baseline); Exclusive Economic Zone (200NM from baseline); as well as the high seas which are open to all states and with freedom of navigation and overflight.

The unnamed China Foreign Ministry spokesperson also insisted that it is the Philippines that breach commitments and make provocations at sea, despite a series of harassments inflicted on Philippine vessels by the China Coast Guard using water cannon and dangerous maneuvers.

“The Philippines frequently infringed on China’s rights and made provocations at sea, brought in forces outside the region to form blocs and flex muscles in the South China Sea, and spread disinformation to vilify China and mislead the international perception on this matter.”

The statement particularly called out the United States’ support of the Philippines.

“In particular, driven by selfish geopolitical calculations, the US has played an extremely ignoble role by supporting and assisting the Philippines in infringing on China’s sovereignty, and by exploiting the South China Sea issue to drive a wedge between China and other regional countries. Who exactly does the Philippine foreign policy serve now? Whose bidding is the Philippines doing with all these maritime actions? The answer is pretty clear to anyone with sound judgement. Trying desperately to justify the unjustifiable will not help the Philippines build trust with the international community. Countries in the region need to stay vigilant and always make sure that they themselves are the ones sitting in the driver’s seat when it comes to the peace and stability of the South China Sea.”

READ: Marcos Jr. says US presence crucial to regional peace

Seven years after the 2016 Arbitral Award, however, 26 governments have publicly called for the ruling to be respected, while 17 have issued positive statements, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson also insists that the South China Sea situation is stable and that it is committed to handle disputes through negotiations, “on the basis of respecting historical facts.”

The unnamed China Foreign Ministry spokesperson also reiterated China’s call for the Philippines to honor commitments, despite not being able to produce any signed treaties or agreements.

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