A decision invalidating China’s claims in the South China Sea was a “crowning glory” that renews faith in international law, the Philippines’ top lawyer said yesterday, in Manila’s strongest comment yet on its sweeping win.
The remarks by Philippine Solicitor General Jose Calida followed two days of carefully calibrated responses from Manila and are almost certain to irritate China further.
The Philippines has so far been keen not to rock the boat in the hope of starting dialogue toward Beijing allowing it to exercise what the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled were its sovereign maritime rights.
“It confirms that no one state can claim virtually an entire sea,” Calida told a forum on the South China Sea. “The award is a historic win not only for the Philippines ... it renews humanity’s faith in a rules-based global order.”
“The award opens a horizon of possibilities for all stakeholders,” he said.
“The award is a crowning glory of international law,” he added.
China has refused to recognize Tuesday’s ruling and did not take part in its proceedings.
It has reacted angrily to calls by Western countries for the decision to be adhered to.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said Beijing’s position on the case had the support of Laos, the current chair of ASEAN.
The verdict was discussed on Thursday between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (李克強) and Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith ahead a regional summit in Mongolia.
“Thongloun said that Laos supports China’s position and is willing to work with China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry’s statement did not elaborate.
The Laotian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not responded to reporters’ requests for comment on the ruling and its state media made no mention of Thongloun’s comments to Li.
Land-locked Laos, which is boosting economic ties with China, is to host a key security meeting later this month, at which the South China Sea is expected to dominate.
ASEAN has not issued a statement about the ruling and its members have not said why.
China has said it has widespread support for its rejection of the case, but many countries have stuck to cautious comments about resolving disputes peacefully and following international laws.
China claims much of the South China Sea, through which more than US$5 trillion of trade moves annually.
Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have rival claims.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte spoke at a private function late on Thursday and said that he wanted dialogue with China and was considering sending former Philippine president Fidel Ramos to Beijing to get the ball rolling.
“War is not an option,” Duterte said. “So, what is the other side? Peaceful talk.”
Immediately after the ruling, Duterte privately told his ministers to be magnanimous and not to pique Beijing, one minister said.
The cautious tone appears to be changing in the Philippines, where there are signs of public disgruntlement with the subdued government response to a decision that most of the country was celebrating.
The US, a key Philippine ally, is urging Asian nations not to move aggressively to capitalize on the court ruling, according to US administration officials.
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