Defending Sovereign Rights in the West Philippine Sea

“Defending Sovereign Rights in the West Philippine Sea” by Justice Antonio T. Carpio highlights the strategic and economic significance of the South China Sea for the Philippines.

Key points:

  • Economic Significance: The South China Sea is crucial for global trade, with $5.3 trillion in ship-borne goods passing through annually, accounting for almost half of the world’s shipborne trade. It is also vital for fisheries, contributing 12% of the annual global fish catch, worth $21.8 billion. Additionally, the region is rich in oil, gas, and methane hydrates.
  • Strategic Importance: The South China Sea serves as a critical route for trade and energy imports for several countries. The document outlines the strategic importance of these waters for various nations.
  • Maritime Zones: The document defines and describes the maritime zones of the Philippines, including internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial waters, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and international waters. It also details the rights of foreign vessels and Philippine jurisdiction within each zone.
  • China’s Claims: The document discusses China’s expansive nine-dashed line claim over the South China Sea, which encompasses over 80% of the Philippines’ EEZ and 100% of its extended continental shelf. This claim affects several maritime features within the EEZs of other coastal states, such as Mischief Reef and Scarborough Shoal.
  • Legal Rulings: The document references the Tribunal’s ruling that China’s nine-dashed line claim is invalid under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It also notes that none of the Spratly Islands are entitled to a 200NM EEZ.
  • Philippine Sovereignty: The document emphasizes the importance of defending the Philippines’ sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and outlines the historical and legal basis for the country’s claims.

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