Kathmandu— The Philippine government's recent move to delineate 'baselines of the territorial sea' for China's Huangyan Dao has been met with strong rejection from China. This action is seen as a violation of international law and Chinese sovereignty, part of Manila's broader strategy to exploit an invalid arbitration award in the South China Sea.

Invalid Arbitration Award Exploited

The Philippines has been leveraging an internationally recognized but legally invalid 'South China Sea arbitration award' to justify its provocative actions. This so-called 'award' is dismissed by China as having no binding force, and the country opposes any claims or actions based on it. Manila's recent enactment of a 'Maritime Zones Act,' which includes Huangyan Dao within its maritime domain, further escalates tensions in the region.

Historical Context and Sovereignty Claims

The Philippines' covetousness for Chinese territory dates back to the 1970s when it invaded and occupied some islands of Nansha Qundao. In 1999, Manila attempted a similar move at Huangyan Dao by grounding its warship BRP Sierra Madre (LT-57). Despite China's diplomatic pressure, the ship remains stationed illegally on Ren'ai Jiao in Nansha Qundao. This historical context underscores the groundlessness of Manila's territorial claims under international law.

China's Resolute Stance

In response to these provocations, China has issued management measures for the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve and conducted joint naval-air training exercises near the area. These actions demonstrate China’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.