The Philippines yesterday backed a reported US plan to challenge China’s territorial claims by deploying a US Navy vessel close to a Chinese-built island in the South China Sea, saying it was important for the international community to safeguard freedom of navigation in the disputed waters.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said the US plan to send a navy ship within 22km of the artificial island in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島) “would be consistent with international law and a rules-based order for the region.”
The US newspaper Navy Times last week reported that the navy might soon receive approval for the mission to sail close to the island.
Such a move would bolster Washington’s stance that the artificial islands being built by China do not constitute sovereign territory and build a legal case under international law for the US position, the newspaper said.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs warned 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.”
“It is important for the international community to safeguard freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea,” the department said. “This is of paramount concern to all countries.
Aside from China and the Philippines, four other governments — Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia — claim parts or the entire South China Sea, a busy passageway for large portion of the world’s commerce and military vessels.
Washington has a policy of not taking sides in the territorial disputes, but says it is in its national interest to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful resolution of the conflicts.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying (華春瑩) expressed serious concern last week over the planned US Navy deployment.
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