War of words between China and Philippines over South China Sea claims
Summary
China and the Philippines exchanged strong statements over claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines’ Defense Secretary criticized China’s rejection of a 2016 legal ruling that said China’s claims there were invalid, while China accused the Philippines of causing trouble and harming their relations.Key Facts
- The Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro spoke at a defense forum in South Korea about the South China Sea dispute.
- Teodoro highlighted a 2016 ruling by an international tribunal that declared China’s claims in the South China Sea illegal.
- During his speech, Teodoro received a note from someone purportedly representing China, stating it did not accept the ruling.
- China said it does not recognize the ruling and urged the Philippines to stop causing problems.
- The South China Sea is a busy global trade route with several countries disputing claims, including China and the Philippines.
- In 2013, the Philippines started arbitration against China, which China refused to join.
- Recent incidents include a Filipino sailor being injured by China’s coast guard, which Beijing denied, accusing the Filipino side of aggression.
- The U.S. and other countries have supported the tribunal’s 2016 ruling, calling China’s claims illegal.
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