MANILA – Chinese President Xi Jinping told President Rodrigo Duterte they do not recognize the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling about the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea.
Philippine Ambassador Chito Sta. Romana said Xi made the remark to Duterte when the latter raised the arbitral ruling that invalidated the country’s historical but excessive claims in the said waters.
“The President raised this and the Chinese maintained their position,” Sta. Romana said. “But there is no need for China to stay there and they took note of this.”
“We are not a threat to China and they will stick to their policy of peace development,” he added.
In July 2016, The Hague recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.
However, China refused to recognize the ruling and has built artificial islands, prohibited Filipinos from fishing, and interfered in petroleum exploration in the disputed territory.
Aside from Philippines and China, other claimants include Taiwan and ASEAN member-states Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. /PN
