Undaunted by the recent Chinese threat against United States move to sail in the disputed waters, the Department of Foreign Affairs reiterated its support for the US plan to send warships where international law allows, including the South China Sea.
“We should uphold the rule of law and freedom of navigation and overflight,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Jose said in a text message to The Standard.
The department said that international community should act together to safeguard freedom of navigation and overflight in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea which is of paramount concern to all countries.
The United states announced it would send warships to SCS, a resource-rich waters and home to a chain of more than 100 islands, shoals, reefs and coral outcrops, being claimed nearly in its entirety by China, saying its claim is indisputable and anchored on history.
“If the US decides to send naval vessels within 12 nautical miles of the reclaimed low-tide elevation features in affirmation of this objective, this would be consistent with international law and a rules-based order for the region,” Jose said.
The DFA official claimed that failure to challenge false claims of sovereignty would undermine this order and lead China to the false conclusion that its claims are accepted as a fait accompli.
Chinese media slammed the US for “ceaseless provocations” in the South China Sea, with Washington expected to soon send warships close to artificial islands Beijing has built in disputed waters.
Tensions have mounted since China transformed reefs in the area—also claimed by several neighboring countries—into small islands capable of supporting military facilities, a move that the US says threatens freedom of navigation.
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter warned Beijing that Washington will continue to send its military where international law allows, including the South China Sea.
The remarks were backed by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who said the two countries are “on the same page.”
Carter’s remark sparked outrage in the Chinese media . An editorial in The Global Times, which is close to China’s ruling Communist party, condemned Washington’s “ceaseless provocations and coercion.”
“China mustn’t tolerate rampant US violations of China’s adjacent waters and the skies over those expanding islands,” it said, adding that its military should “be ready to launch countermeasures according to Washington’s level of provocation,” it added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario said during the 70th UN General Assembly meeting that China’s aggressive actions should be a concern to all nations.
“I think the international community should be vigilant about what is happening in the South China Sea because it has the potential to change the international order,” he said.
A final decision on the case lodged by the Philippines before the UN arbitral tribunal is expected in the early part of 2016.
China continues to refuse to participate in arbitration proceedings, claims “indisputable sovereignty” over the entire South China Sea.
The Philippines decided to seek international arbitration to resolve its sea dispute with China in 2012 after a standoff between the two countries in the disputed Panatag Shoal, located 124 nautical miles off Zambales province.
Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are also contesting ownership in part or in whole to the waters.