On October 7th, a spokesperson for the Philippine Armed Forces claimed that China’s assertion of indisputable sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea (parts of the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines) is controversial. The spokesperson remarked that China’s “baseless” claim and its actions in the “West Philippine Sea” are irresponsible.
On October 9th, the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded, stating that the recent actions taken by the Philippines in the Ren’ai Reef have severely violated China’s territorial sovereignty. China has repeatedly lodged serious representations with the Philippines regarding this matter, reiterating that the Ren’ai Reef has always been Chinese territory. The so-called ruling of the South China Sea arbitration is illegal and invalid. At the same time, the deployment of Philippine military ships on the Ren’ai Reef “beaching” constitutes a severe infringement on China’s territorial sovereignty, with the responsibility for the current maritime situation resting entirely on the Philippines.
The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the Ren’ai Reef has always been part of China’s territory. Whether geographically, economically, politically, or historically, it is an integral part of the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, which is widely recognized by the international community and is fully consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regulations concerning islands. China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including the Ren’ai Reef, which has been established over a long historical process and is in line with international law, including the UN Charter.
The Foreign Ministry pointed out that the territorial scope of the Philippines is defined by treaties such as the Treaty of Paris (1898), the Treaty of Washington (1900), and the boundary treaty between British North Borneo and the U.S.-ruled Philippines (1930). The Nansha Islands, including the Ren’ai Reef, are not part of the Philippine territory. The Philippines’ claim to sovereignty over the Ren’ai Reef based on its proximity to Philippine territory has no legal basis.
The Foreign Ministry stated that the South China Sea arbitration initiated by the Philippines directly involves issues of territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation. Territorial issues are not within the scope of UNCLOS. Furthermore, in 2006, the Chinese government, in accordance with Article 298 of UNCLOS, excluded maritime delimitation and related matters from any international jurisdiction or arbitration. The unilateral initiation of the South China Sea arbitration by the Philippines violates the provisions of UNCLOS. The tribunal exceeded its authority, violated the “state consent” principle, and issued an illegal and invalid ruling without any binding force. The Philippines’ claims based on the aforementioned ruling, asserting that the Ren’ai Reef belongs to the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf, are legally untenable.
The Foreign Ministry noted that in May 1999, the Philippines deployed the BRP Sierra Madre (Tank Landing Ship 57) to illegally “beach” on the Ren’ai Reef. China immediately lodged a serious representation, demanding the Philippines to remove the ship. The Philippines repeatedly promised to do so, but 24 years have passed, and the ship still remains “stranded”. China cannot accept the Philippines’ repeated breaches of promises and infringements on China’s territorial sovereignty. The Philippines is responsible for removing the “beached” vessel.
The Foreign Ministry highlighted that, for some time, the Philippines, ignoring China’s goodwill and sincerity, continuously dispatched official vessels and warships to forcibly enter the waters near the Ren’ai Reef, attempting to transport construction materials for large-scale repairs and reinforcement of the illegally “beached” warship, aiming for permanent occupation of the Ren’ai Reef. This action severely infringes upon China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, violates international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and undermines regional peace and stability.
The Foreign Ministry stated that China once again urges the Philippines to take China’s concerns seriously. It should cease maritime provocations, stop unwarranted attacks and slander, avoid impacting and undermining the peace and stability of the South China Sea, and damaging the common interests of regional countries. China will continue to take necessary measures in accordance with domestic and international law to resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.