DFA strongly rejects China's claim over Batanes waters - GMA Network
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday rejected the Chinese Embassy’s claim of sovereignty and jurisdiction over the waters off Batanes.
“The Department firmly and strongly rejects the Chinese Embassy’s assertion that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the waters off Batanes,” the DFA said in a statement.
This comes after the Philippine Coast Guard recently warded off a Chinese Coast Guard near Cabra Island in Mindoro.
“... The Department affirms that the Philippine Coast Guard was conducting lawful and routine law enforcement operations in response to a suspected unauthorized Marine Scientific Research (MSR) activity in the waters off Batanes,” it added.
DFA said authorities detected the Chinese research and vessel JIA HAI KE 7 approximately 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
It emphasized that the Chinese research was conducted without the consent of the Philippines, which is required under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Under Article 246 of UNCLOS, marine scientific research in the EEZ and on the continental shelf shall be conducted with the consent of the coastal State. The Philippines did not receive any request from the Chinese side and no consent has been given to any Chinese vessel to conduct MSR,” DFA said.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, the Chinese Embassy responded to a statement by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea rear admiral Jay Tarriela, who called on Ambassador Jing Quan to cease asserting claims over Batanes and urged the public not to give in to harassment.
The Chinese Embassy addressed Tarriela, describing his statement as a “baseless accusation” and “nothing but political theater.”
The embassy said that under international law, including UNCLOS, China holds sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the area due to overlapping maritime claims with the Philippines.
“Under international law, including [UNCLOS], China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters. China and the Philippines have overlapping maritime claims there, and in accordance with international law and the consensus between the two sides, this should be resolved through negotiation,” Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy Guo Wei said.
“China firmly opposes the Philippines' illegal actions in waters under China's jurisdiction based on unilateral claims, and will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its own rights and interests,” he added.
In response, the DFA called on China to abide by its international obligations and refrain from counterproductive actions that hinder efforts to restore mutual trust, adding that it will continue to defend the Philippines’ claim in its EEZ.
“The Philippines will continue to uphold the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its EEZ peacefully and responsibly in accordance with international law,” the DFA said. —VAL, GMA News
