UNCLOS
-
New China ambassador tries to mend fences with Philippines
Arbitration, China, Memorial, Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSMANILA: China’s new ambassador to the Philippines on Tuesday met President Benigno Aquino to try to mend relations strained by a festering territorial dispute. Zhao Jianhua, who arrived in the Philippines over a month ago, briefly met Aquino after presenting his credentials, said presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte. “It went well,” she told reporters. Valte said […]
-
Indonesia, South China Sea and the 11/10/9-dashed lines
There seems to be an obsession among political commentators in Asia and beyond that Indonesia has to admit that it is a claimant state in the South China Sea (SCS) dispute and, therefore, must surrender its role as a “mediator”. This is indeed laughable in the eyes of international law. This is my take on […]
-
WWII veteran supports Philippines’ case vs China
MANILA, Philippines — A 91-year-old Filipino veteran who fought against Japanese forces during World War II believes that armed conflict is no longer the way to solve matters today. Ricardo Madayag, among the veterans honored on Wednesday in commemoration of the Fall of Bataan, approved the Philippine government’s bid to settle the maritime row through […]
-
Jakarta seeks clarification from Beijing on claims in South China Sea
Arbitration, China, Gas, Indonesia, Memorial, Militarization, Natuna, Oil, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOSJAKARTA — Indonesia is seeking clarity on China’s intent behind its maritime claims in the South China Sea to avoid the risk of miscalculations in a zone rich in natural gas, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said. Indonesia wants an explanation for a map outlining China’s assertions in the South China Sea that appears on […]
-
When is a rock not a rock?
Arbitration, China, Diplomatic Relations, Foreign Policy, Memorial, Philippines, South China Sea Dispute, UNCLOS, USAWASHINGTON: A diplomatic standoff between China and the Philippines that flared up two years ago in a dispute over fishing rights at a tiny shoal in the South China Sea is coming to a head after Manila decided to ignore Chinese threats and sue Beijing in an international tribunal. The legal case marks the first […]
-
South China Sea: Regional States Push Back Against China
On March 18, officials from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Singapore to resume consultations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea that began last September. This meeting should have created an atmosphere for the lowering of tensions in the South China Sea. At the least, China […]
-
Creative countermeasures needed to deal with Manila’s S.China Sea schemes
After over a year’s preparation, the Philippine government has submitted 4,000 pages of evidence to an international tribunal, challenging China’s legitimate claim to the South China Sea within the nine-dash line and declaring its “sovereignty” over some isles including the Ren’ai Reef. The Chinese government and scholars have rebuked Manila’s attempt to seek international arbitration […]
-
Comments on the Philippine case before ITLOS and Arbitral Tribunal
MEDIA RELEASE By Prof. JOSE MARIA SISON NDFP Chief Political Consultant 04 April 2014 In a previous interview, I said that the strongest piece of international law in favor of the Philippines is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), particularly with regard to the 200 mile exclusive economic zone. I even […]
-
‘Phl chose right course in sea row’
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines chose the right course, an international think tank said of the country’s filing a case before an arbitral court on its overlapping claim with China in the Spratlys. The Philippines may face repercussions for bringing its territorial dispute with China before an international court but complacency may be costlier, US-based […]
-
Courage and defiance: The Philippines act of standing up against China
I refer to the report of TJ Burgonio “Philippines defies China warning,” in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 29 with regard to the Philippines’ act of filing the pleading on the sea dispute. To quote from the said report: “Unfazed by threats of sanctions from China, the government yesterday said it was pursuing its case […]