MANILA, Philippines – China’s territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) does not give it the right to the hotly contested territory because they are “just mere claims” and do not adhere to international laws.

“There is a fundamental difference between entitlements and claims under international law,” Assistant Secretary Henry Bensurto Jr. of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)-West Philippine Sea Center said during the second Expanded Asean Maritime Forum (EAMF) in Kuala Lumpur Thursday.

“Claims are just mere claims that may not necessarily generate rights unless duly proven in an appropriate forum,” Bensurto said.