The PLA will “unswervingly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests including territorial integrity and maritime rights and interests”, Chang had said.
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The restricted waters also include the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).
“The South China Sea has drawn huge attention, but some information online is not accurate”, said Zhang Haiwen, director of State Oceanic Administration’s worldwide cooperation division, adding that many historical and legal documents were being made public for the first time.
The Hague court last month ruled that China has no historic title over the waters of the South China Sea and that it has breached the Philippines’ sovereign rights with its actions. Also, the U.S.is yet to ratify the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which China has ratified.
In its white paper Japan also expressed concern over increased activity in the East China Sea, where the two countries have competing claims to small uninhabited islets called the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China.
“Our technical analysis indicates a notable orientation towards code and infrastructure associated with developers in mainland China”, the report says. “The exercise is not directed against third parties”.
“Sa side natin, maging mahinahon muna (For our side, we must remain calm for now)”, DFA spokesman Charles Jose told reporters in a chance interview at a conference called by the department to discuss how to move forward and manage tensions following the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling on the suit brought by the Philippines against China.
China’s official Xinhua news agency condemned the review for hyping up the “China threat” theory, which aimed to tarnish the country’s image.
Australia is not a claimant in the sea but has consistently supported US -led freedom of navigation activities in and over the sea.
“The website is founded with the aim of positively publicising our policies, claims, historical proof, legal basis and global cooperation while serving as a reliable channel for domestic and overseas government departments, research groups and individuals to learn about the South China Sea”, SOA spokesperson Shi Qingfeng said.
“This is kind of an ominous suggestion that they will be prosecuting people who enter the waters that China claims”, he said.
Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea University of the Philippines director Dr. Jay Batongbacal on the other hand said the Philippines must accept that Asean will never have a unified position when it comes to the PCA ruling.
“China must take revenge and let it know it’s wrong”.
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China’s navy has fired dozens of missiles and torpedoes during exercises in the East China Sea that come amid heightened maritime tensions in the region, underscoring Beijing’s determination to back up its sovereignty claims with force if needed.
