FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Sunday claimed rising sea levels brought about by climate change would eventually wipe out structures and artificial islands built by China in the contested Kalayaan (Spratly) island group.

He made the remark on Twitter in response to a news article on the prospects of floating cities amid rising sea levels in Antarctica due to climate change.

“Rising sea levels will wipe out the issue of disputed reeds in the South China/West Philippine Sea. And good riddance,” Locsin said.

“At the UN (United Nations) Security Council I said the Philippines would not regret climate change and rising sea level if it covers the disputed reefs in the South China Sea and exposes the foolishness of taking and weaponizing them,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday warned China not to touch Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), where hundreds of Chinese vessels have massed.

The President issued the warning following reports from the Armed Forces of the Philippines that hundreds of Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels had “swarmed” the Manila-held Pag-asa Island.

The military’s Western Command said the vessels were part of China’s maritime militia.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jinhua, however, said the Chinese vessels seen near the island were not armed.

The Philippines had filed a diplomatic protest with Beijing over the matter.

https://www.manilatimes.net/climate-change-will-end-sea-dispute-locsin/536898/