But it holds up norms and, in the present instance, China comes across as a violator of norms.
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The Philippines has repeatedly taken moves that have complicated the maritime disputes in an attempt to “entrench its illegal occupation of some islands and reefs” of the South China Sea, said a whitepaper issued by China. They said it was financed by the former government of the Philippines. It is very important that it was unanimous decision, by very learned scholars of (laws of) global seas and judges of worldwide tribunal.
Indonesia will sharply strengthen security around its South China Sea islands where there have been clashes with Chinese vessels, the defence minister said Wed-nesday, a day after Beijing’s claims in the waters were declared invalid.
The World Weekly covered the outcome of the tribunal on Tuesday.
Even before the ruling was handed down, China rejected the decision.
“That they have made these unhelpful comments doesn’t mean that our expectations should change. America hasn’t asked us to do it”, he said.
“What we want is to quiet things down so these issues can be addressed rationally instead of emotionally”, said one U.S. official, quoted in Reuters.
“It isn’t about expressing moral authority, and I kind of reject the implication in the question”.
Beijing boycotted the PCA proceedings, saying the court had no jurisdiction to rule on the issues, and has mounted a huge diplomatic and publicity drive to try to discredit the tribunal and its decision. China believes cooperation with other South China Sea neighbors, whether in fishing or in exploiting oil and gas resources in the waters, could be achieved by negotiations, he said.
“We have enormous responsibilities”. What steps the US, China and Philippines are considering remains unclear. “We have enormous security commitments in the region”, he said.
“This patrol mission will show Taiwanese people’s determination to defend their country’s rights”, she said, before disembarking from the warship ahead of its departure.
China, which considers Taiwan to be part of its territory with which it must eventually be united, has largely backed Taiwan’s activities in support of its South China Sea claims.
“And I don’t see any change to that presence”.
For more on the South China Sea arbitration and its aftermath, CCTV America’s Elaine Reyes spoke with Fred Teng, president of America China Public Affairs Institute.
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Meeting on the sidelines of a regional summit in the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told his Vietnamese counterpart on Thursday that he hoped Vietnam would together with China jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, state news agency Xinhua reported.
