MANILA—The Philippine foreign ministry said on Thursday that China has no right to object to or interfere with its lawful and routine activities in the South China Sea.
The ministry said it also “rejects and refutes” recent statements of the Chinese embassy in Manila that Beijing has indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly islands.
The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China between them have claims and a presence on dozens of features in the Spratly archipelago, ranging from reefs and rocks to islands, natural and artificial. China’s manmade islands there include runways, radar towers, ports, and missile systems.
“We urge China to respect the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction, even as we continue to pursue peaceful and legal means to manage differences and the situation at sea,” foreign ministry spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a statement….
Philippines Says China Has No Right to Object or Interfere With Its ‘Lawful’ Activities in South China Sea
