Manila rejects Beijing’s “absurd” demand to notify it of its operations in the South China Sea

June 9 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Philippine authorities have assured this Saturday that they will continue to maintain their posts in the South China Sea without notifying any other State, rejecting Beijing’s demand to do so, considering it “absurd, meaningless and unacceptable.”

“We reaffirm our commitment to defend our sovereign rights and our jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal, which is well within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as recognized by international law and the 2016 arbitration award,” said National Security Advisor Eduardo Eduardo Year, late this Saturday.

In a statement published on social networks, Año referred to the statement made this Thursday by the Chinese Government suggesting that the Philippines notify it of its operations in Ayungin Shoal “with the relevant advance notice.”

“We do not need and will never need China’s approval for any of our activities there,” Año defended, calling the Chinese proposal “absurd, meaningless and unacceptable.”

The advisor has thus responded to the comment from the Chinese Foreign Ministry that has conditioned the delivery of supplies to the rusty World War II ship, BRP Sierra Madre, which Manila has maintained as an advanced military post on the disputed sandbar since 1999.

“Our operations are carried out within our own territorial waters and EEZ (…) We will not be deterred by foreign interference or intimidation,” assured the Philippine representative who, in addition, has once again accused the Chinese Coast Guard of acting “aggressively” when in May it blocked a Philippine ship evacuating a sick soldier from the ship.

“Such actions are not only violations of international maritime laws, but also of basic Human Rights,” said the head of Philippine National Security, alluding to the alleged seizure by Chinese forces of food and medical supplies intended for troops. Philippines in the BRP Sierra Madre. These actions, he has said, are “equally reprehensible and deserve a thorough investigation and accountability.”

The Philippines remains “open to dialogue and peaceful negotiations” to resolve maritime disputes, Año assured, but these “must be based on mutual respect and adherence to International Law.”

China claims sovereignty over all waters of the South China Sea, an area of ​​vital importance for commercial traffic, which is why it has deployed hundreds of vessels to carry out patrol work in what it considers its own jurisdiction.