The Philippines says China is seeking to occupy more waters in the South China Sea as dozens of militia ships continue to be stationed in Philippine waters.
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Sunday (April 4) that “the continued presence of Chinese maritime militias in the area indicates their intention to further occupy the West Philippine Sea (area).”
The West Philippine Sea was named by then-Philippine President Aquino in a presidential executive order in September 2012. The West Philippine Sea is often considered to be the South China Sea. There is also an interpretation that the West Philippine Sea is the sea to the east of the South China Sea, which is what the Philippines refers to as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters. Lorenzana’s reference to the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea is seen as re-emphasizing the Philippines’ sovereignty over the waters of the South China Sea.
China opposes the Philippines’ name for the West Philippine Sea, saying that the Philippines’ unilateral renaming of the South China Sea will in no way shake China’s sovereignty over most of the South China Sea.
In his second “hostile” statement in two days, Lorenzana reiterated the Philippines’ call for Chinese vessels to leave the waters of Whitsun Reef. The Philippines calls Whitsun Reef Julian Felipe Reef, which lies within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Chinese diplomats have said that the ships anchored around Bull Yoke Reef (Julian Felipe Reef) are fleeing bad weather at sea and do not have militiamen on board. The Philippine government agency overseeing the disputed area previously said about 220 Chinese vessels were anchored in the waters around Bull Yoke Reef on March 7. The Philippine government believes the men on the fishing boats are militiamen.
China claims Niuyu Reef is part of China’s Spratly Islands (Spratlys). Chinese fishing boats have long fished in the waters around Niuyu Reef.
In a statement Saturday, Lorenzana said there are still 44 Chinese boats around Niuyu Reef, despite improving weather conditions. He said, “I’m not a fool. The weather has been good so far, so there is no reason for them to stay there.”
The Chinese embassy in Manila responded to Lorenzana’s statement, saying it was “perfectly normal” for Chinese vessels to fish in the waters and take refuge near the reef during the rough sea conditions. The statement added that “no one has the right to make reckless remarks about such activities.”
In July 2016, the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in the South China Sea arbitration case between the Philippines and China, stating that historical evidence of China’s claim to sovereignty over the South China Sea and the map of the “nine-dashed line” it drew had no legal basis. Beijing does not recognize the ruling and has built artificial islands in the disputed waters, equipped with radar, missile batteries and fighter jet hangars.
In a statement on Sunday, Lorenzana said, “They have done this before in Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc and Panganiban Reef (occupying the disputed area), in flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Philippines and its sovereign rights under international law. rights under international law.”
Ngau Yoke Reef is located in the Spratly Islands (Spratlys), the most disputed archipelago in the South China Sea. In addition to China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei claim full or partial sovereignty over this offshore area. In recent years, China has turned seven disputed reefs into island bases for missile defense, heightening tensions.
The United States has expressed support for its longtime treaty ally, the Philippines, and accused China of using “maritime militias to intimidate, provoke and threaten other countries, undermining peace and security in the region.”
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has developed friendly relations with Beijing since taking office in 2016 and has been criticized for not immediately demanding that China comply with the ruling of an international arbitration court.
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