Philippines, Germany reject China’s expansionism in the region

Photo from Department of National Defense. 

By Joe M. Reyes | Date 08-07-2024

MANILA — The Philippines and Germany stood together to oppose China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea which raises tension in the region, the two countries’ defense ministers said.

In a joint statement, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius condemned China’s aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea.

“The ministers strongly opposed any unilateral attempt to advance expansive claims, especially through force or coercion,” the joint statement said.

The two defense leaders had also “emphasized the importance of advocating for a principled and sustainable peace that is firmly anchored on international law.”

Teodoro said it was China causing the problem in the West Philippine Sea.

“China’s illegal and unilateral attempt to appropriate most, if not all,  of the South China Sea as their international waters pursuant to now their 10-dash line on a nebulous and unfounded claim of historical rights,” said Teodoro.

He said China is claiming indisputable sovereignty and jurisdiction over these areas, contrary to the norms of international law.

“And that is the sole cause of tensions in the South China Sea, to include areas of the West Philippine Sea within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines and other claimant countries,” he added.

The Philippines is not provoking China, a military superpower, he said.

“We do not seek war, yet we are mandated not only by our Constitution but as an obligation to our countrymen to protect whatever areas whether it be jurisdiction or rights that rightfully belong to the exclusive benefit of Filipinos,” he said.

The joint statement also reaffirmed their “staunch commitment” to freedom of navigation, overflight, and peaceful uses of the seas consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They also “agreed to continue promoting the comprehensive implementation of UNCLOS as the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.”

The two officials reaffirmed that the 2016 decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration is “final and legally binding.”

The ruling invalidated China’s excessive claims in the South China Sea and affirmed the rights of the Philippines to its 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone.

The two defense leaders also agreed to enhance bilateral defense relations in light of the security challenges that both countries face.

“The Ministers committed to conclude a broader Arrangement on Defense Cooperation, which will expand the scope of mutually beneficial cooperation between the Philippines and Germany into new areas,” the statement said.

“The ministers, moreover, intend to explore opportunities to further expand the bilateral armaments cooperation and to engage in joint projects,” the statement also said.