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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider China affirms self-restraint agreement with ASEAN on Spratly islands

China affirms self-restraint agreement with ASEAN on Spratly islands

Published Dec 22, 2022 01:02 pm

China said Thursday it will not occupy nor reclaim the uninhabited islands and reefs of the Spratly Islands as it maintains that it "always abides" by a declaration it agreed on with Southeast Asian countries.

Mao Ning, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, said in a press conference that "refraining from action" on the features of the Spratly (Nansha) Islands ​"is a serious common understanding reached by China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) countries in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).​"​

​"​And China always strictly abides by it,​" she added.

Photo courtesy of China's Foreign Ministry

​Mao made the remark after Bloomberg released a report that cited Western officials as saying that China is building up several unoccupied land features in the South China Sea, with new land formations having appeared above water over the past year at Eldad Reef in the northern Spratlys.

Located on the Philippines' West Philippine Sea, Spratly Islands are an archipelago also being claimed by China.

The spokesperson said the report is "completely untrue."

Amid the recent concerning actions taken by Chinese vessels and the Chinese coast guard in the contested water, including the swarming incident and the forcible debris seizure, Mao believed that the relationship between the Philippines and China "currently enjoys sound momentum​."

​"And ​the two sides will continue to properly handle maritime issues through friendly consultations​," she added.​​

On Wednesday, the Philippines said it is "seriously concerned" about the reported reclamation activities as such "contravene the Declaration of Conduct on the South China Sea’s undertaking on self-restraint and the 2016 Arbitral Award."

"We have asked relevant Philippine agencies to verify and validate the contents of this report," the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Related Tags

DFA Bloomberg mao ning reclamation activities Philippines South China Sea china
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