Philippines told claims over Huangyan Island break law
Source: Agencies |
April 19, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA yesterday accused the Philippines of violating maritime law by claiming Huangyan Island in the South China Sea and dismissed Manila's request to take the dispute to an international court.
"We believe it runs counter to historical facts and violates the law," said Liu Weimin, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Philippine navy and Chinese maritime patrol vessels engaged in a standoff last week over a fishing incident near island.
Liu said China had "lodged solemn representations" with the Philippines and that Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying had called in the Philippine envoy yesterday over the issue.
Philippine authorities have recently stated that the Philippines has "sovereignty" over Huangyan Island, Fu said, adding that their remarks are contrary to historical fact and legal principles.
Huangyan Island is an integral part of Chinese territory, Fu said, adding that there is no basis for the Philippines' claim to the island and that China cannot accept the claim.
She urged the Philippine side to respect China's sovereignty, refrain from taking any action that might escalate the situation and make due efforts to safeguard peace and stability on the South China Sea.
The Philippines plans to seek resolution in an international court, arguing that the island is "well within" its 370 kilometer exclusive economic zone that is recognized under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Liu said the Philippines is violating international law by using the UN convention to call into question sovereignty over the territory.
"China has sufficient legal evidence for its jurisdiction over Huangyan Island. China was the earliest to discover and name the island, and has included it on maps and exercised its sovereignty over it ever since," Liu said.
Liu said that the Philippines never objected to China's territorial control of the island before 1997 and its claim now is completely baseless.
The controversy flared on April 10 when two Chinese ships prevented a Philippine warship from arresting several Chinese fishermen fishing in the waters near the island.
"We believe it runs counter to historical facts and violates the law," said Liu Weimin, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Philippine navy and Chinese maritime patrol vessels engaged in a standoff last week over a fishing incident near island.
Liu said China had "lodged solemn representations" with the Philippines and that Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying had called in the Philippine envoy yesterday over the issue.
Philippine authorities have recently stated that the Philippines has "sovereignty" over Huangyan Island, Fu said, adding that their remarks are contrary to historical fact and legal principles.
Huangyan Island is an integral part of Chinese territory, Fu said, adding that there is no basis for the Philippines' claim to the island and that China cannot accept the claim.
She urged the Philippine side to respect China's sovereignty, refrain from taking any action that might escalate the situation and make due efforts to safeguard peace and stability on the South China Sea.
The Philippines plans to seek resolution in an international court, arguing that the island is "well within" its 370 kilometer exclusive economic zone that is recognized under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Liu said the Philippines is violating international law by using the UN convention to call into question sovereignty over the territory.
"China has sufficient legal evidence for its jurisdiction over Huangyan Island. China was the earliest to discover and name the island, and has included it on maps and exercised its sovereignty over it ever since," Liu said.
Liu said that the Philippines never objected to China's territorial control of the island before 1997 and its claim now is completely baseless.
The controversy flared on April 10 when two Chinese ships prevented a Philippine warship from arresting several Chinese fishermen fishing in the waters near the island.
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