"Philippines filed diplomatic protest over South China Sea buildup: Minister - Reuter
MANILA: The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest with China, its foreign minister said on Monday, over Beijing's installation last year of anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems on its manmade islands in the disputed South China Sea.
The protest note was sent to the Chinese embassy in December, after confirmation of a report from the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies about a weapons buildup on seven artificial islands in the Spratlys.
One of those islands is located within the Philippines' 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay told CNN Philippines it was important to raise concerns carefully, and not create a big row.
"I just want to assure the Filipino people that when we take action at engaging China in this dispute, we do not want to take such aggressive, provocative action that will not solve the problem," he said.
"We cannot engage China in a war," Yasay added, but "when there are reports about the buildup of weapon systems in the area during our watch, we made sure that the interests and rights of the Philippines are properly protected."
The Philippines this year chairs the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Yasay said last week he was confident a protracted code of conduct between the grouping and China could be finished by mid-year, after 15 years and limited progress.
China's artificial islands became a hot issue last week when the U.S. nominee for Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, told a Senate hearing that Beijing should be repelled from, and then denied access to, the controversial islets.
Yasay last week suggested the Philippines would play no part in that, and said of the United States, "Let them do it"."
A diplomatic protest was sent to China by the Philippines. What is clever about this protest is that it is done 'matter of factly'. It was also accompanied with a clear statement of intent. That it is to ensure 'the interests and rights of the Philippines are properly protected'. It did not scream: 'You, China. You are violating international laws!'
It is good news that there is still hope that the 'Code of Conducts' can be done after 15 years and limited progress! May that become a reality and remove an almost constant source of disturbance and disharmony between Asean and China, and China and the world!
Hopefully the Chinese's response to the Philippines' diplomatic protest will be 'diplomatic' i.e. nothing offensive and yet nothing will be resolved!
p/s: The MOST INTERESTING part for me is how Mr T, the to be confirmed incoming US Secretary of State and the USA is going to EXPEL the Chinese from those South China Sea islands and DENY the Chinese access to them!
MANILA: The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest with China, its foreign minister said on Monday, over Beijing's installation last year of anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems on its manmade islands in the disputed South China Sea.
The protest note was sent to the Chinese embassy in December, after confirmation of a report from the US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies about a weapons buildup on seven artificial islands in the Spratlys.
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay told CNN Philippines it was important to raise concerns carefully, and not create a big row.
"I just want to assure the Filipino people that when we take action at engaging China in this dispute, we do not want to take such aggressive, provocative action that will not solve the problem," he said.
"We cannot engage China in a war," Yasay added, but "when there are reports about the buildup of weapon systems in the area during our watch, we made sure that the interests and rights of the Philippines are properly protected."
The Philippines this year chairs the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Yasay said last week he was confident a protracted code of conduct between the grouping and China could be finished by mid-year, after 15 years and limited progress.
China's artificial islands became a hot issue last week when the U.S. nominee for Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, told a Senate hearing that Beijing should be repelled from, and then denied access to, the controversial islets.
Yasay last week suggested the Philippines would play no part in that, and said of the United States, "Let them do it"."
A diplomatic protest was sent to China by the Philippines. What is clever about this protest is that it is done 'matter of factly'. It was also accompanied with a clear statement of intent. That it is to ensure 'the interests and rights of the Philippines are properly protected'. It did not scream: 'You, China. You are violating international laws!'
It is good news that there is still hope that the 'Code of Conducts' can be done after 15 years and limited progress! May that become a reality and remove an almost constant source of disturbance and disharmony between Asean and China, and China and the world!
Hopefully the Chinese's response to the Philippines' diplomatic protest will be 'diplomatic' i.e. nothing offensive and yet nothing will be resolved!
p/s: The MOST INTERESTING part for me is how Mr T, the to be confirmed incoming US Secretary of State and the USA is going to EXPEL the Chinese from those South China Sea islands and DENY the Chinese access to them!
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