Ipinagdiinan ng Pilipinas, kasama ang 13 pang ibang bansa, ang pagtitibay nito sa desisyong inilabas sa Permanent Court of Arbitration isang dekada na ang lumipas—kung saan pinaburan ang bansa kontra sa China hinggil sa isyu ng South China Sea.
Matatandaang batay sa desisyong ito, “invalidated” ang mga inilalatag na argumento ng China kaugnay sa umano’y “nine-dash line,” na tumutukoy umano sa kanilang teritoryo.
Sa isang joint statement na inilahad ng Pilipinas, at ang mga gobyerno ng bansang Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, United Kingdom, at United States of America (USA) nitong Linggo, Hulyo 12, iginiit nila ang kanilang pagsuporta sa kapayapaan na nakabase sa umiiral na batas.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable, and rules-based, anchored in international law, and commemorate the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016, Arbitral Tribunal’s landmark and unanimous decision on the South China Sea constituted under Annex VII of UNCLOS,” mababasa sa joint statement ng mga nabanggit na bansa.
Anila, “We reaffirm that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with UNCLOS. We reaffirm that the Award rendered ten years ago by the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone and is final, legally binding, and definitive between China and the Philippines with respect to the maritime entitlements and claims addressed by the Arbitral Tribunal.”
“We reaffirm the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, including those based on ‘historic rights’. We underscore the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as other internationally lawful uses of the sea, as reflected in UNCLOS,” dagdag pa nila.
Giit pa ng mga bansa, mariin nilang tinututulan ang anila’y “destabilizing” o “unilateral” na mga aksyon—gaya na lamang ng pananakot at pamimilit na siyang nagdudulot ng hindi magandang epekto sa rehiyon.
“We reiterate our strong opposition to any destabilizing or unilateral actions including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region,” anila.
“We reaffirm our strong opposition to the use of coast guard, military, and maritime militia forces to harass, obstruct, or intimidate lawful operations by other States at sea or in the air, and in so doing endanger the safety of personnel and fishermen and seriously degrade regional peace and security. We urge the parties to abide by the 2016 Award and resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms in accordance with international law,” dagdag pa nila.
Mababasa rin sa naturang pahayag ang kanilang pagsuporta sa malaya at bukas na Indo-Pacific.
“We remain steadfast in our support for a free and open Indo-Pacific and reiterate our commitment to promoting our shared vision with ASEAN of the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity driven by vibrant lawful commerce,” pagtatapos nila.
Maliban pa rito, umugong din ang usapin kamakailan hinggil sa mga pahayag ng ilang Chinese scholars na ipinagdidiinang ang lalawigan ng Batanes ay bahagi umano ng China.
Paliwanag nila, “natural extension” daw ng bansang Taiwan ang probinsya, kung kaya’t parte na rin ito ng kanilang teritoryo.
KAUGNAY NA BALITA: Teodoro, Tarriela pumalag: Batanes, 'natural extension' ng Taiwan sey ng ilang Chinese scholars!-Balita
Dahil dito, hindi na nakapagtimpi at nagpahayag na ang ilang ahensya ng pamahalaan kaugnay sa mga pang-aangking ito.
MAKI-BALITA: Buwelta ng NSC: 'The claim that Batanes belongs to China has no merit!-Balita
MAKI-BALITA: NHCP, sinopla China; nanindigang sa Pilipinas ang Batanes-Balita
