PH welcomes US report junking China’s claims

Chinese vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, are seen at Juan Felipe Reef/Whitsun Reef, South China Sea, on March 27, 2021. Picture taken on March 27, 2021. Philippine Coast Guard/National Task Force-West Philippine Sea/Handout via REUTERS

The Philippines on Friday welcomed a US state department’s report debunking China’s “expansive” maritime claims in the South China Sea, saying this affirms the Philippines’ 2016 victory before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

“We welcome the affirmation of the 2016 arbitral award by the US state department’s Limits in the Seas No. 150: People’s Republic of China: Maritime Claims in the South China Sea,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Last week, the Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs under the state department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs released a 47-page report dismissing China’s claims to “historic rights” in the South China Sea.

The Jan. 12 report said China’s claim “is plainly inconsistent with maritime law.” —Tina G. Santos