The Philippine government has summoned China’s envoy to Manila to protest Beijing’s baseline claim over the territorial sea of waters adjacent to Panatag Shoal, a feature within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The move, taken by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), was made as China’s declared baselines “infringe upon Philippine sovereignty and contravene international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” Ma. Teresita Daza, DFA spokesperson, said on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
“The said baselines have no legal basis and are not binding on the Philippines,” Daza asserted.
On Tuesday, Manila already filed a diplomatic protest against Beijing to express its opposition.
Since the start of the year, the Philippines has already filed a total of 56 protests against China, according to DFA.
"The total number of protests under President Marcos Jr. for the period 01 July 2022 to 12 November 2024 is 189," it added.
On Sunday, Nov. 10, China mapped out its own baseline on waters off Panatag, saying it was "a natural step by the Chinese government."