The court ruled that while China has no historic rights to the area within its self-declared nine-dash line, Taiwan has no right to Itu Aba, also called Taiping, the largest island in the Spratlys.
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The Philippines built military facilities on some islands and reefs of China’s Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands/Spratly islands) it invaded and illegally occupied and deliberately destroyed survey markers set up by China, it said adding that Manila attempted to illegally occupy China’s Ren’ai Jiao by using a military vessel illegally run around it.
President Tsai Ing-wen attended the send-off of Republic of China (Taiwan) navy Kangding-class frigate Dihua July 13 in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City, having ordered its departure 24 hours early on a patrol of the South China Sea following the award rendered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said while introducing the policy paper that Beijing could declare an air defence identification zone over the waters if it felt threatened, a move that would sharply escalate tensions. Taiwan’s government said the ruling was “completely unacceptable” and had no legally binding force since the arbitral tribunal did not formally invite Taipei to participate in its proceedings or solicit its views.
China is accusing Japan of manipulating the worldwide tribunal that ruled against Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea on Tuesday, a likely attempt to keep the public from blaming the country’s leadership for losing the case. The president has signalled the he wants to avoid a major diplomatic falling-out with China over the issue.
In the South China Sea, China has internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, based on the South China Sea Islands.
Tusk said Europe would continue to speak out on upholding worldwide law, including when it comes to the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Seas, or UNCLOS.
The nominee to be the US ambassdor to the Philippines said Wednesday that he will work closely with Manila to help the Southeast Asian ally reduce tensions in the South China Sea and better monitor the waters off their shores.
“Malaysia cherishes peace and stability of the South China Sea and believes that China and all relevant parties can find constructive ways to develop healthy dialogues, negotiations and consultations while upholding the supremacy of the rule of law for the peace, safety and security for the region”, the statement said. In the past, the US was accused of escalating tensions in the South China Sea by conducting “freedom of navigation” naval operations, forging alliances with countries with competing claims on the area and being selective with the implementation of worldwide law.
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While blaming the previous Philippine government for complicating the dispute by seeking arbitration, Mr Liu also sought to strike a conciliatory note with the South East Asian nation’s new leadership.
