RP takes territorial dispute with China to UN body By Michaela P. del Callar 10/01/2011

RP takes territorial dispute with China to UN body

By Michaela P. del Callar 10/01/2011
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The Philippine government has taken a long simmering territorial dispute with China to the United Nations General Assembly, where it called for a rules-based solution to the conflict and used West Philippine Sea to refer to the vast sea body in contention in defiance of Beijing’s stance.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Libran Cabactulan, in his speech during the General Debate of the 66th UN General Assembly last Tuesday, said rule of law, such as the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), “is the key to finding solutions to the disputes over conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea,” otherwise known as the South China Sea.

“In instances of disputes – particularly of a territorial nature - the rule of law ensures peaceful settlement and resolution,” Cabactulan said. “Adherence to the rule of law prevents from conflicts.”

Speaking on the conflicts before an international forum further demonstrated the Philippines’ unwavering position to defend and re-assert its claim over its territories within maritime boundaries set by the Unclos, risking another backlash from China, which prefers a bilateral discussion of the issue..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111001nat4.html