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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH calls out China's consul remark over WPS

PH calls out China's consul remark over WPS

Published Feb 13, 2024 08:30 am

​The Philippine government on Tuesday, Feb. 13, called out China's Consul General in the country, Zhang Zhen, for her remarks that purportedly misrepresented facts over the West Philippine Sea.

"We note the statement made by the Chinese Consul General last 8 February 2024.  We take serious exception to China's continued misrepresentation of the law and the facts," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

The Philippines' response came after Zhang, during a Chinese New Year celebration in Iloilo City, said that the arbitral ruling on the West Philippine Sea was "illegal, null, and void," adding that China "has never and will never accept it."

Zhang also maintained China's claim over the waters based on historical and legal facts and cited news articles from China's state media to support their claim.

"The Philippines and China are both parties to UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," DFA said.

"We have and will consistently call on China to act responsibly and abide by its obligations under UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea," it added.

Related Tags

Department of Foreign Affairs Zhang Zhen West Philippine Sea
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