Vietnam, China and Taiwan claim all of the disputed Spratly archipelago in the South China sea, while the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei claim some of the islands in the area.
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They should also declare all the low-tide and high-tide features in the Spratlys, and an area of 3-nautical miles around each feature, a preserved marine area, for the benefit of all coastal states in the South China Sea.
“We urge. China to make sure that maritime law and security must be completely and uncompromisingly respected”, Yasay said, adding that the Philippines and Japan shared experiences in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
So, while reports of an increasing number of Chinese coast guard ships and fishing boats sailing in waters around the Diaoyu Islands, have again brought the territorial dispute between China and Japan into the global spotlight, it should be recognized that the protests that Tokyo has lodged over what it claims are Chinese “incursions” into its waters are ill-founded and ill-intentioned.
BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) – Six crew members of a sunken Chinese fishing boat saved by Japan have been handed over to China, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed late Thursday night.
“This is not the kind of action that is mandated by worldwide law”, Yasay told the news conference, referring to what he said the Philippines and Japan saw as Chinese intimidation and provocation in connection with their disputes.
“Maritime order based on the rule of law is indispensable for the region’s stability and prosperity”, Kishida said.
“We agreed that in pursuit of a resolution to maritime conflict, it is important to base action to the rule of law and peaceful means and not through force and coercion”, he said.
That same day, U.S. Department of State spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said, “We are concerned about the increase of Chinese coast guard vessels in the vicinity of the islands”.
The Philippines will soon receive from Japan surveillance aircrafts, a fastcraft and two other vessels to help secure maritime borders.
Also on Thursday, former Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario urged the administration of President Duterte to engage naval powers to enforce the Hague tribunal’s ruling.
Backing a proposal by renowned marine biologist Dr. John McManus for the creation of a Spratlys International Marine Peace Park, Carpio said the move would enable all claimants to suspend for 100 years their territorial claims.
Hua Chunying responded, “China’s position on the issue of Diaoyu Dao is clear and consistent, that is, Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands is an inherent part of China’s territory, and China has indisputable sovereignty over them and the adjacent waters”.
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“The Philippines should look for ways to cooperate with our neighbors to preserve marine ecosystems in the South China Sea and to ensure the sustainability of fishing resources for everyone”, he said in the same forum.
