China Rejects Philippines’ Ownership Claim over Ayungin Shoal
China has once again asserted its claim over Ayungin Shoal, also known as Ren’ai Jiao, stating that the Philippines has no legal basis for ownership. The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a strongly-worded statement, emphasizing that Ayungin Shoal is beyond the limits of Philippine territory, as defined by international treaties.
This dispute comes in the wake of the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which favored the Philippines in its claims in the West Philippine Sea. However, China continues to assert its sovereignty over the majority of the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry addressed the arbitral ruling, arguing that territorial issues are not subject to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China claims that the Philippines violated UNCLOS stipulations by unilaterally initiating the South China Sea arbitration, rendering the award illegal and null.
Furthermore, the statement criticized the Philippines’ grounding of BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, viewing it as a violation of China’s territorial sovereignty. China accused the Philippine government of breaking its promise to tow away the vessel, leading to resupply missions to troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.
China has urged the Philippines to cease making provocations and creating troubles at sea, warning that it will take necessary actions to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
The ongoing Ayungin Shoal dispute highlights the conflicting territorial claims between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. As tensions persist, diplomatic efforts and multilateral discussions are crucial to resolving this complex issue and ensuring stability in the region.
