China on Thursday lashed back anew against foreign governments opposing the large and provocative presence of Chinese fishing and militia vessels in a reef off the West Philippine Sea.
As of Thursday, more governments spoke against the lingering presence of nearly 200 Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef, located 175 nautical miles of Bataraza, Palawan, saying its actions undermines peace and security in the region and violates international law.
Defying calls from the Philippine government and other countries to pull out of the area, China accused its critics of coming out with “irresponsible comments” and “using the same scripts.”
“Neither these diplomats understand the basic facts, nor do they have the ability to think and judge independently,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila said on Twitter.
Led by the US, other nations, such as Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, came out with strong statements of support for the Philippines after it filed a diplomatic protest against the latest Chinese incursion.
"If the so-called 'facts' are false from the beginning, you couldn't be more wrong to repeat the mistakes," the Chinese Embassy said. "Understand and respect the fact before you make any comments."
Manila demanded China’s immediate wí†hdráwal from the reef, which is being claimed by Beijing as part of its territory.
From 220 in March 7, about 183 Chinese vessels have remained in the area.
China said the vessels were merely seeking shelter from bad weather – a claim dismissed by the US, saying they have been moored there “for several months in ever increasing number, regardless of weather.”
In a meeting between Southeast Asian senior officials and New Zealand, the Philippines reiterated its objection over what it called “continued provocative presence” of Chinese maritime militia vessels within Philippine maritime zones.
Elizabeth Buensuceso, Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Affairs, who represented the Philippines to the 28th ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue, said “the presence of these vessels in Philippine maritime zones not only infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, but threatens security and stability in the region.”
New Zealand echoed calls for adherence to the rule of law, including the 1982 United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the exercise of self-restraint, resolution of disputes by peaceful means, and undertaking cooperative activities to build trust and confidence.
Julian Felipe Reef is within the Philippines’ EEZ and continental shelf as mandated by the UNCLOS.
The Philippines also expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s support of the 2016 Arbitral Award that invalidated China’s massive claim over the South China Sea.
Manila, which initiated the case against China, renamed parts of the South China Sea that falls within its jurisdiction as West Philippine Sea. —With a report from Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News
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