Philippine territorial claim harmful to relations with China

BEIJING. February 20. KAZINFORM The Philippine congress this week passed a baseline bill which includes China's Huangyan Island and some islands of Nansha Islands within the Philippine territory. The Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced the territorial claim as "illegal and invalid."

The legal status of these islands, clearly recorded in Chinese historical maps and documents, has long been defined by international law and could therefore invalidate any disagreement on this fact. In accordance with Article 121 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Huangyan Island is a naturally-formed land area surrounded by water and rises above the surface of the sea at the high tide, rather than the shoal or submerged reef that can not appear above the sea throughout the year. It lies out of the boundary reaffirmed in the 1935 Philippine constitution's Republic Act No. 3046 of June 17, 1961. Therefore, the issue of Huangyan Island is of sovereignty, instead of exclusive economic zone (EEZ), whose utilization belongs to maritime administration. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea states explicitly that the maritime administrative rights are not suitable to solving matters related to sovereignty, and coastal countries' right to explore and develop natural resources within the EEZ by no means affects the legal status of other countries' territories. The Philippines' latest claim on Huangyan and other islands of Nansha Islands, in defiance of China's severe concern and representations on many occasions, is harmful to bilateral relations; Kazinform cites Xinhua. The Philippines should abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea issued by ASEAN member countries and China in 2002 and refrain from actions that may complicate and expand disputes. The series of understanding and consensus reached by the two sides have played a constructive role in maintaining the sound development of the bilateral relations and peace and stability of the South China Sea area. The best choice for the Philippine side is to respect history and international law, proceed from the overall interests of bilateral relations and the interests of the two peoples as well as peace and stability of the South China Sea, and take concrete and effective actions to stop the behaviors infringing China's sovereignty.