Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Wednesday frowned upon China’s new map encompassing West Philippine Sea, saying it heightens tension in the region.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said it was “apparent that [the] move does not promote the cause of regional stability”.
However, he said the government will pursue peaceful means in resolving the territorial dispute.
“We reiterate our focus on diplomatic, political and legal options that will bring about the peaceful resolution of disputes on conflicting claims to maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea,” he said in a statement.
Chinese news agency Xinhua first published the maps made by Hunan Map Publishing House, which marked China’s territory with ten dash lines drawn close to the coasts of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines’ islands of Palawan and Luzon.
China has long been criticized by its neighbors for its “expansionist agenda,” prompting the Philippines and other claimants in South China Sea to seek international arbitration on the issue.
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