China rejects Hague arbitration on sea dispute – The Journal of Turkish Weekly

He asked the tribunal to declare China’s claims to all the South China Sea invalid.

Since then, China has repeatedly lodged protests and representations to the Philippines, demanding that the country tow the warship away, Hua said.

China on Wednesday protested against the Philippines’ consolidation of its “stranded” warship on a Chinese reef in the South China Sea.

“Just as the Philippine Navy is morally and duty bound to resupply its personnel with food, water, medicines, and other basic necessities, it is incumbent upon the Navy leadership to ensure that the minimum survivable condition of the ship is accorded to its personnel on board”, Arevalo said.

The Philippine Navy also denied a wire report that said it plans to build a helipad on the dilapidated ship.

DND spokesman Peter Galvez said China is “twisting the truth” when it portrayed itself as the victim of the territorial row.

China did not elaborate on the “further actions” it can take while the Philippines repairs the ship in the disputed sea.

Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei also have overlapping claims in the area, which straddles major shipping lanes.

A decision on whether the United Nations court has jurisdiction over the issue is expected within the year.

Using Subic Bay would allow the Philippine air force and navy to respond more effectively to Chinese moves in the disputed South China Sea, security experts said.

China is determined to safeguard its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, she said.

Known internationally as Second Thomas Shoal, Ayungin Shoal is located 105 nautical miles from mainland Palawan.

China opposed the fix, saying that the Philippines is a “troublemaker” and a “rule breaker” in the region.

“I dont think it’s a violation of anything because you have to remember that the Sierra Madre is a vessel, which any vessel at sea can conduct repairs on their own”, DND Public Affairs Service Director Arsenio Andolong said in an interview.

Lt. Col. Detoyato said BRP Sierra Madre “is in Philippine waters, so who is the victim”.

Philippine officials, however, stressed that it was China that started the trouble in the West Philippine Sea.

Chinese ships have been blocking vessels sent to bring supplies to the Marines in an effort to pressure the Philippines to give up the shoal.