China wants TT backing on South China Sea

In a statement published in the print media yesterday, China’s Ambassador Huang Xingyuan argued the issue – which is likely to escalate with an international court ruling due – has direct implications for this country.

“I hope you can have a better understanding on the South China Sea dispute, stand with righteousness and justice to support China’s position on the South China Sea, bring peace to the South China Sea again, safeguard the basic norms in international relations and let our two countries share peace and stability in human society,” the Ambassador said.

China and the Philippines have competing claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines – a long-time US ally – has taken the matter to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The Tribunal adjudicates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea . China says it opted out of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea under its Article 298 and therefore the matter stands to be resolved bilaterally, between the two countries and governed by “the spirit of contract”. It notes Trinidad and Tobago – in 2009 and 2007 – has exercised a similar right to opt out of some provisions of the public international law.

“America’s support for the Philippines seems unreasonable,” China said in its statement yesterday, without detailing the position of the US.

“More than 30 countries including Trinidad and Tobago have made a declaration on optional exceptions in accordance with Article 298 of the Convention.” China further claimed, “The Philippines’ act will force these 30 countries to get involved in an unfamiliar arbitration without being informed. It is extremely dangerous and will severely influence international laws.” South China Sea matter reportedly involves a range of political, economic and military factors. There have been reports that China has been constructing facilities in the areas in dispute, which may also contain natural resources. The Sea is a shipping route and home to fishing grounds that supply people in the region.

In October, the US sailed a missile destroyer within 12-nautical miles of an artificial island – Triton Island in the Paracel Islands – to assert freedom of navigation in the region. China warned the US to “not act blindly or make trouble out of nothing”.

In its statement yesterday, China said, “At present, China doesn’t have the plan to recover invaded islands through military actions but that doesn’t mean China has no resolution and methods to safeguards its territorial integrity...If some countries try to pressure China, China will react. The harder you push the harder it will react.” In April, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Vietnam, “The United States and Vietnam share interest in maintaining peace and stability in the region. So does China. But its massive land reclamation projects in the South China Sea and increasing militarization of these outposts fuels regional tension and raise serious questions about China’s intentions.” China, over successive administrations, has entered into arrangements with Caribbean countries involving subsidised loan arrangements, often tied to various development projects.