Who stirs trouble?

The trouble with Wang and China is that they believe their hype which closes the door to a dialogue based on good faith.

China is again sowing intrigue in its desperate attempt to somehow win some Filipino support by turning them against public officials whom Beijing perceives to be pro-Americans.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin cited factors that he claims have placed a wedge between the two neighbors which are: the Philippines reneged on a promise to “tow away” BRP Sierra Madre from the Ayungin Shoal; Philippines walked back on a promise that it will “properly manage” with China the West Philippine Sea conflict to keep “things stable at sea,” and that the country is suspected of transporting “construction materials for the large-scale repair and reinforcement of the grounded” landing ship and permanently occupy the Shoal.

The Philippines contend that the shoal is within its exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, and has rights over it based on the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas that were underlined in the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration award.

China’s conflicting claim over the entire West Philippine Sea is supposedly based on historical data that the PCA ruling said were invalidated by what was provided in UNCLOS.

“This is what has caused tensions between China and the Philippines,” Wang said.

He added, “The Philippines, bolstered by external support, has brushed aside China’s goodwill and restraint and repeatedly challenged China’s principles and red line.”

Wang insisted that China remains committed to upholding peace and stability in the WPS through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines and other ASEAN countries.

But he quickly added, “China will not weaken in its resolve to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”

The conflicting point of view in the negotiations with the Philippines basing its claim on international law and China on its claimed historical data has stalled a substantial agreement.

In 2022, ASEAN leaders gathered with then-Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to mark the 20th anniversary of the “milestone” Declaration on the Conduct of Parties, or DoC.

DoC is a non-binding agreement that was meant to pave the way for the CoC to which the signatories will be required to adhere to.

The 20-year DoC meant that negotiations on the CoC had progressed slowly, if at all, during that period.

In an attempt to offer some sort of leverage to its local minions, particularly in the media, in battling adverse comments from the country’s leaders, China is resorting to spreading canard.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has debunked the alleged commitment to pull out the BRP Sierra Madre, saying that any past agreement with China is rescinded.

The trouble with Wang and China is that they believe their hype which closes the door to a dialogue based on good faith.

Beijing chose to act as the sole arbiter of national rights and jurisdictions, enforcing its rule by the constant presence of its navy, coast guard, and militia ships, according to experts.

China risks isolation in its insistence on defying international rules regarding territorial conflicts by using the nebulous term “undisputed sovereignty” over the WPS.

By resorting to its invalid claims, China has been causing conflict in the WPS, which encompasses routes critical to international trade.

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Credit belongs to: tribune.net.ph