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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Chinese embassy hits back at Pangilinan: PH has right to claim EEZ, so does China

Chinese embassy hits back at Pangilinan: PH has right to claim EEZ, so does China

Published Jan 3, 2026 03:19 pm
Filipino fishing boats are monitored at Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea during an aerial search of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Oct. 6, 2022. (Photo: PCG)
Filipino fishing boats are monitored at Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea during an aerial search of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Oct. 6, 2022. (Photo: PCG)
The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Saturday, Jan. 3, hit back anew at Senator Kiko Pangilinan’s remark over the West Philippine Sea issue, saying the Philippines has the right to claim its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as much as China does.
In a statement, the embassy acknowledged that the two countries “have overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea,” and in their respective relevant waters, both are “entitled to conduct activities.”
“To the good Senator Kiko Pangilinan: The Philippines has the right to claim its EEZ based on Luzon, Palawan and Mindoro, etc. China also has the right to claim its EEZ based on Nansha Qundao and Zhongsha Qundao,” the embassy said.
“Claims that China has infringed upon the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone are simply unfounded,” it added.
The embassy’s remark came after Pangilinan, responding to the embassy’s earlier statement, said he has no problem recognizing the One-China policy but Beijing has to respect Manila’s 500,000-sqm EEZ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
UNCLOS is the basis of the arbitral ruling, which favored the Philippines’ claim over the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea that China also claims to be its own.
Pangilinan said that if China really respects the UNCLOS, it must abandon its “ridiculous” and “illegal” claim of the 90 percent of the West Philippine Sea.
But the embassy also argued that “under international law, where maritime claims overlap, the parties concerned should delimit their boundaries through means acceptable to both sides.”Pending such delimitation, the situation should be properly managed, and actions that could complicate or escalate tensions should be avoided,” it said.
The embassy said that both China and the Philippines must acknowledge the reality of overlapping claims, manage differences, and work toward a proper resolution of the issue.
“Rigidly adhering to one’s own position and placing blame on the other side is neither constructive nor helpful in resolving the matter,” it added.

Related Tags

PH-China Chinese Embassy in Manila Kiko Pangilinan West Philippine Sea
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