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South China Sea
ChinaDiplomacy

Beijing, Philippines spar over South China Sea claims during Munich conference

Former Chinese deputy foreign minister Fu Ying says Beijing will not accept occupation of a World War II-era ship that Manila grounded in the area

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Philippine’s Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo says powerful countries can “assert their own laws against weaker countries, leading to greater contention”. Photo: AFP
Alyssa Chenin Munich
While Russia’s war against Ukraine and a wavering transatlantic alliance drew the world’s attention at this year’s Munich Security Conference, sparks also flew over claims in the South China Sea as participants representing Beijing and Manila dug into their positions on the debate.

In a panel discussion, titled “Making Waves: Maritime Tensions in the Indo-Pacific”, former Chinese vice-foreign minister Fu Ying said Beijing would not accept occupation by the Philippines of new features that the Southeast Asian country had constructed in the South China Sea. Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo was part of the panel.

“China cannot agree for the Philippines to occupy Second Thomas Shoal and Sabina Shoal, because that is a violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” Fu said, referring to a non-binding document signed by Beijing and Asean countries.

Fu insisted that the document’s language – in particular, a pledge to “not to make more moves” – was watered down at Manila’s request to entice the country to sign.

The declaration asks signatories to exercise “self-restraint” when conducting activities that would “complicate or escalate disputes”, and refrain from building on the sea’s uninhabited features.

The presence of a dilapidated but still active Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea has been denounced as unacceptable by Beijing. Photo: AP
The presence of a dilapidated but still active Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea has been denounced as unacceptable by Beijing. Photo: AP
Further actions by Manila, including construction efforts to reinforce the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era tank landing ship deliberately positioned on the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999, have been denounced by Beijing as unacceptable.
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