Chinese representative questions the Philippines' contradictory words and actions at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue.
The Philippines has frequently provoked and caused trouble at sea, infringing on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, colluding with external forces to stir up chaos in the South China Sea, which seriously violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and harms the common interests of regional countries.
At the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue on the 31st, a Chinese representative questioned Philippine Defense Minister Teodoro. The Chinese representative stated that the Philippine side had previously expressed that regional countries should strive to reach a "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea," yet they sent people to land on uninhabited islands and reefs in the South China Sea, violating the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which shows a contradiction in the Philippine side's words and actions.
Member of the Chinese People's Liberation Army expert delegation Zhang Chi: I asked the Philippine Defense Minister, as Philippine President Marcos stated, regional countries should continue to strive to reach a "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea." In your speech, you also mentioned that the Philippines respects the rule of law and advocates for peaceful resolution of disputes. However, in recent years, we have seen the Philippine side sending people to land on uninhabited islands and reefs in the South China Sea, and such actions violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. How do you explain this contradiction?
Philippine Defense Minister Teodoro responded with grandiloquence, even stating that since there is already the "United Nations Charter," why is there still a need for a "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea."
A reporter from the Central Broadcasting Station inquired with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs whether the defense minister's viewpoint represents the position of the Philippine government and whether it would affect the progress of negotiations on the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea." No response has yet been received from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
Reporter丨Xue Jing Liu Chang Huang Zhengzheng
Camera丨Huang Yaozu Fu Tian
On May 31, at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue, a Chinese representative questioned the Philippine Defense Minister about the Philippines' actions in the South China Sea, highlighting contradictions in their statements regarding the Code of Conduct. The Chinese accused the Philippines of violating agreements by sending personnel to an uninhabited reef. The Philippine Defense Minister's response suggested a lack of clarity on the Philippines' position, and inquiries to the Foreign Ministry remain unanswered.
- China accused the Philippines of violating the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
- The Philippines sent personnel to an uninhabited reef in the South China Sea.
- The Chinese representative questioned the Philippine Defense Minister about these actions.
- The Philippine Defense Minister's response raised further questions about the Philippines' stance on the South China Sea Code of Conduct.
- The Philippine Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the Defense Minister's comments.