Sea dispute: Duterte to send envoy to China

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday he would send ex-leader Fidel Ramos to China for talks after an international tribunal ruled against Beijing’s claims to most of the disputed South China Sea.

Duterte said he would ask former president Ramos “go to China to start the talks” with Beijing after the UNbacked tribunal’s ruling on the strategically vital waters, though he did not specify a time frame.

China said yesterday it had issued a formal protest after Australia announced it would continue to exercise its right to freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea following a court ruling against China’s claims.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague concluded this week that China had no historic claim to the waters and it had violated the Philippines’ economic and sovereign rights.

China rejected the ruling, having declined to participate in the case saying the court had no jurisdiction.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop urged all South China Sea claimants to resolve their disputes peacefully, saying Australia would keep exercising its international rights to freedom of navigation and overflight, and support the right of others to do the same.

Formal protest

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China had formally protested against Australia’s “wrong remarks”, and that China hopes Australia does nothing to harm regional peace and stability.

“Honestly speaking, I’m a bit shocked at Bishop’s comments,” Lu said.

Australia should join the majority of the international community in not taking the result of the “illegal outcome” of the case as international law.

“We hope that Australia can set more store by international law, and not treat it as a game,” Lu added.