Philippines asks nations for continued support on South China Sea row

Manila: The Philippines urged other countries to continue their support to efforts at achieving peaceful resolution to its territorial dispute with China.

In a speech delivered during the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, said the country “has long placed its faith in the rules and institutions that the international community has created to regulate relations among states.”

It said that it looks forward to the day that China will make good on its statements that it would help resolve the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

“On our dispute with China, a long-time partner and neighbour, we also hope we will finally see actions consistent with Beijing’s declarations so that genuine efforts to lower tensions in the South China Sea can succeed and the peaceful settlement of disputes can be obtained,” he said.

A copy of the speech was made available by the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Philippines had been engaged in a conflict with China over jurisdiction over portions of the South China Sea.

Beijing had laid claim to areas encompassed by its so-called nine-dash line, an imaginary demarcation covering vast expanse of sea territory and islands southwest of the Chinese mainland extending from the sea northeast of Taiwan, to the area near the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia, as well as Indochina.

China had staked their claims over these areas by erecting structures that include several airbases that could extend the reach of their defensive aircraft to cover areas deep within areas outside of the UN-mandated exclusive economic zones.

China had maintained it has historical records to support its territorial claims.

The Philippines has brought the issue before the Arbitrary Tribunal, a UN-backed body.

However, the tribunal can only settle territorial disputes like that between the Philippines and China on paper. The body has no mechanism to enforce its decisions.

Del Rosario said despite China’s actions, he remains optimistic. “International law serves as the great equaliser among states, allowing small countries to stand on an equal footing with wealthier, more powerful states.

International law is the tie that binds the community of nations together. Without it, the global order can fall into anarchy,” Del Rosario said.

He noted that it is for this reason that the Philippines has been a strong advocate of the primacy of the rule of law in settling the South China Sea dispute.

“With growing support from the international community in peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea, including through arbitration, the Philippines believes the final outcome of this arbitration process would pave the way for a settlement of the maritime disputes,” the Philippine foreign affairs secretary said.