DFA on China's proposals on West PH Sea: Only a few were 'somewhat workable'

Only a few of China's proposals on the South China Sea were "somewhat workable," while many were contrary to the interest of the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

According to the DFA, it received a number of concept papers from China on various maritime-related proposals last year.

"While a few proposals were deemed somewhat workable, many of the remaining Chinese proposals were determined, after careful study, scrutiny and deliberation within the Philippine Government, to be contrary to our national interests," the DFA said in a statement.

The agency stressed that any agreement with a foreign government should be in accordance with the mutual interest.

Aside from this, the DFA said, agreements also should not undermine the Philippine constitution or diminish the rights of the country under international law, specifically the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Under the 1982 UNCLOS, the Philippines is entitled to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Court of Arbitration concluded in 2016 that China had no legal basis to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within its "nine-dash line."

The DFA issued the remark in reaction to an article by Manila Times titled, "Chinese Official: PH ignored China’s proposals on sea row".

"In no way did the Philippine Government ignore China's proposals," the DFA said.

"Upon receipt of the Chinese proposals, the Philippine Government had immediately undertaken serious study and consideration of all of them," it later added.

Following the receipt of the proposals, the DFA said it submitted counter proposals to China.

"Instead of considering the Philippine counter-proposals, however, the Chinese side presented its own counter-proposals, which again did not reflect our interests, especially on issues such as the South China Sea," it said.

The DFA added that China’s proposals could not be considered because they were against the Philippines’ sovereignty.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin replied to the DFA statement by saying that "China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao."

"There’s no territorial disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Proceeding from its bilateral relationship with the Philippines and peace and stability in the South China Sea, China has made proposals to the Philippines on managing the situation at sea and carrying out maritime cooperation," he said.

"Regrettably, the Philippines has not yet responded to most of the proposals and made frequent infringements and provocations at sea. Such moves seriously undermine the atmosphere of communication and cooperation between China and the Philippines. China’s position on the South China Sea issue is consistent. We stand ready to continue to work with the Philippines to properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation. At the same time, we will take resolute measures to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," he added.

Bilateral consultation meeting

Meanwhile, the agency said the issues were further discussed during the 8th Bilateral Consultation Meeting on the South China Sea at Shanghai in January.

It said that the proposal raised by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in March 2023 would be deemed a recognition of China's control over the Ayungin Shoal as China's territory.

"As Ayungin Shoal is a part of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, the proposal of China could not be considered by the Philippines without violating the Philippine constitution or international law," it said.

The DFA also stressed that it approached the "confidential" negotiations with China with utmost sincerity and good faith.

"We were, therefore, surprised by China's disclosure of sensitive details of our bilateral discussions," it said.

GMA News Online has requested comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila regarding the matter. — VDV, GMA Integrated News