PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday said it is unfortunate that there has been little progress in “difficulties” that the Philippines and other claimant countries are facing in relation to the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea dispute.
The President made the pronouncement during the farewell call of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian in Malacañang.
“We will miss you,” Marcos told the envoy as he thanked Xilian for his service.
“It’s unfortunate we didn’t make much progress on the difficulties that we have in the South China Sea, West Philippine Sea. But I think, considering how difficult the situation was, that we have managed to keep things at least away from too much problems,” he added.
China has been aggressive in its claim to the South China Sea, harassing Philippine vessels with water cannons and dangerous maneuvers.
China has been claiming almost the entire South China Sea which overlaps with the claims of the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China’s claim.
As China continues to refuse to recognize the arbitral ruling, the Philippines maintains it would not give up even a square inch of its territory, affirming its jurisdiction and sovereign rights over the WPS.
