South China Sea crisis: Philippines issues 45 diplomatic protests over Chinese actions
THE Philippine government has issued 45 diplomatic protests against China over its actions in the South China Sea.
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China has clashed with several states in the region following its claim to several territories and island chains. Termed the nine-dash line policy, China has claimed several island chains well beyond its own waters such as the Spratly Islands which currently fall within Philippines’ territorial waters.
The country’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has sent out 45 diplomatic complaints to Beijing, as reported by Inquirer.net.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr said the government had sent communications to China, to warn them of any further acts.
He also added the government wanted to let China know that its actions are “not regular”.
Mr Esperon Jr also said officials will continue to do so due to China’s “violation of sovereign rights”.
In 2016, China’s nine-dash line was ruled to be in violation of international law by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.
Despite the ruling, China continued to carry on the implementation of the policy.
Since the Spratly Island dispute, President Rodrigo Duterte has moved towards a more pro-China stance.
Mr Duterte has tried to court more Chinese support for the economy and has even threatened to break away from the country’s alliance with the US.
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The two allies clashed after the US rejected the visa request for Ronald dela Rosa, a trusted ally of the Philippine President.
Mr Duterte had given the US a month to restore his visa following the decision in December, Washington, however, neglected to do so.
With that in mind, Mr Duterte notified the US he would cancel the Visiting Forces Agreement.
The agreement allows US troops to be stationed in the country and provide support in the case of a foreign attack.
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He added: “Do we need America to survive as a nation?
“Do we need the might and power of the military of the United States to fight our rebellion here and the terrorists down south and control drugs?
“The military and police said, `we can do it,’
“If we can’t do it, we have no business being a republic.
“We can be a territory of the Americans or we can be a province of China.”
The termination will come into effect in 180 unless either side agrees to keep it.
Donald Trump, however, insisted the move would be beneficial to the US.
He stated: “If they would like to do that, that’s fine.
“We’ll save a lot of money.”