24 December 2016

News Story: Philippines seeks diplomatic initiatives for East (South China) Sea issue

Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines is considering diplomatic initiatives and legal processes allowed under international law over China’s reported installation weapons systems on reclaimed features in the East (South China) Sea.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto Yasay said the government continues gathering information to verify the report by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies about China’s apparent militarisation in the disputed waters, including areas falling within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He said the Philippines is concerned about the information if it is true, adding that these actions will increase the tensions that already exist.

The diplomat did not elaborate what diplomatic initiatives and legal processes under international law he is referring to.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus