The Philippines has called on the United Nations to recognize sovereign rights over the continental shelf off its coasts in the South China Sea. Beijing disputes the same territory.
The Philippines has asked the United Nations to recognize sovereign rights over the continental shelf off its coasts in the South China Sea, a maritime zone also claimed by Beijing.
In the request submitted on Saturday, Manila claims the right to “establish the outer limits of its continental shelf” up to 648 kilometers from the western island of Palawan, the maximum allowed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). . .
“We guarantee our future by expressing our exclusive right to explore and exploit natural resources within our jurisdiction,” said the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for Ocean and Maritime Affairs on Saturday.
“The seabed and subsoil extending from our archipelago to the maximum limit authorized by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea contains important potential resources that will benefit our nation and our people for generations to come,” added the Marshal Louis Alferez.
Manila said in a statement that its call to expand the continental shelf comes after more than 15 years of scientific research in the waters of the South China Sea that are part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
In 2012, the United Nations recognized the Philippines’ exclusive economic rights to Benham Rise, a volcanic ridge off its eastern coast, as part of its continental shelf.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over sovereignty over Scarborough Atoll, which is located less than 321 kilometers from the Philippine island of Luzon, a decision not accepted by China.
Beijing cites historical reasons for claiming sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, something that conflicts with other countries such as Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
On Saturday, China announced a set of rules allowing the coast guard to detain foreigners without trial for up to 60 days in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
The Chinese coast guard will be able to detain, without prior trial, foreigners “suspected of having violated the organization of border entries and exits”, according to the new regulation, published on the Internet.
The document provides for a detention period of up to 60 days for “more complex cases” and “if the nationality and identity [dos detidos] “They are not clear.”
“Foreign ships that have illegally entered Chinese territorial waters and adjacent waters may be boarded in accordance with law,” the regulation added.
Philippine army chief Gen. Romeo Brawner told reporters on Friday that authorities in Manila were “discussing a series of measures to protect fishermen.”
Manila and Beijing have a long history of maritime incidents, which have worsened in recent years.
Source: Observadora
