China Afraid of Tribunal to Settle Issue with Philippines

[William of Tyre]

China says—'with finality'—it won't go to court over shoal
By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer
5:52 pm | Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
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Map showing the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea, including the Spratlys Islands and Scarborough Shoal. AFP
MANILA, Philippines—China's decision not to join the Philippines in bringing the Scarborough Shoal dispute to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Seas (Itlos) is final, according to the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
Zhang Hua, the embassy's spokesman, insisted on Monday night that the shoal, which Beijing calls Huangyan Island, "is China's inherent territory on which we have sufficient legal basis."
The Philippines, on the other hand, variously refers to the shoal, located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales, as Bajo de Masinloc, Panatag and Scarborough, and insists it belongs to the Philippines.
In a text message to the Inquirer, Zhang said the Philippines should "fully respect China's sovereignty."
He said the Philippine government must "commit to the consensus we reached on settling the incident through friendly diplomatic consultations, and not to complicate or aggravate this incident so that peace and stability in that area can be reached."
Last week, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario dared Beijing to bring the dispute to Itlos, which is based in Hamburg, Germany.
China, however, brushed aside Del Rosario's call. It maintains that historically, the shoal is part of its territory.

( If there is already a post regarding this same issue, i apologize for the duplication.)

 

[Predator]

China's decision not to join the Philippines in bringing the Scarborough Shoal dispute to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Seas (Itlos) is final, according to the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

so its final, WWIII will start over issue of sovereignty of some remote islands :shocked:

 

[William of Tyre]

I don't think the chinese would really intend to start a war since they don't have a valid cassus belli. Reason, Law (UNCLOS) and logic is way beyond their grasp. Its clearly not on their side. I wonder why they cannot figure that out? are they a dumb?

"Its not enough to be born with a brain, one must use it."

 

[Yusuf]

China keeps saying it wants friendly diplomatic settlement to all issues so that all countries relinquish their sovereignty to China.

 

[Mad Indian]

I don't think the chinese would really intend to start a war since they don't have a valid cassus belli. Reason, Law (UNCLOS) and logic is way beyond their grasp. Its clearly not on their side. I wonder why they cannot figure that out? are they a dumb?

Yeah well they never had logic anytime really. IF they had, will they claim over the islands based on some 12th century map?

"Its not enough to be born with a brain, one must use it."

 

[Ray]

China is testing the waters.

 

[Predator]

I don't think the chinese would really intend to start a war since they don't have a valid cassus belli. Reason, Law (UNCLOS) and logic is way beyond their grasp. Its clearly not on their side. I wonder why they cannot figure that out? are they a dumb?

"Its not enough to be born with a brain, one must use it."

they already made their intentions clear with their mouthpiece wanting a 'small-scale war'

China daily warns of 'small-scale war' with Philippines

One of China's most popular newspapers has warned of a potential "small-scale war" between Beijing and Manila as a result of their standoff at Panatag Shoal, or Scarborough Shoal as the area is known internationally.

The Global Times, in an editorial published in its Chinese and English editions, said over the weekend that "China should be prepared to engage in a small-scale war at sea with the Philippines."

i think they aim to use the island sovereignty issue to wage a quick war to occupy the islands and then declare a truce and call for negotiations, but you never know when war starts other nations quickly jump into the fray to protect their interests, this might as well turn into a major war.

 

[asianobserve]

I hope these Filipinos do not misread as lack of intention to wage war on the part of the Chinese the stationing of only Coast Guard vessels in the disputed territories. The Chinese may be taking a leaf from the Russian Georgian campaign. The Chinese do not need an airtight legal argument as cassus belli to strike Philippine military targets, since self-defense, attack on Chinese civilians or non-military assets, may be used as a valid justification (like how Russians claimed their citizens were hurt or killed by Georgian forces).

 

[Predator]

testing the waters with war games

Philippines, U.S. stage war games in face of China warning | Reuters

ULUGAN BAY, Philippines, April 25 (Reuters) - Thousands of American and Philippine troops waded ashore on Wednesday in a mock assault to retake a small island in energy-rich waters disputed with China, a drill Beijing had said would raise the risk of armed conflict.

The exercises, part of annual U.S.-Philippine war games on the western island of Palawan, coincide with another standoff between Chinese and Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal in a different part of the South China Sea.

China has territorial disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan across the South China Sea, each searching for gas and oil while building up their navies and military alliances.

 

[William of Tyre]

Yeah well they never had logic anytime really. IF they had, will they claim over the islands based on some 12th century map?

I agree. If an obscure 12th century map is the basis of China's claim, then I won't oppose Spain or Portugal if they would press for the observance of theThe Treaty of Tordesillas, 7 June 1494 - a date which is more recent than 12th century. This line of demarcation was about halfway between the Cape Verde Islands (already Portuguese) and the islands discovered by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage (claimed for Spain), named in the treaty as Cipangu and Antilia (Cuba and Hispaniola). The lands to the east would belong to Portugal and the lands to the west to Spain. The treaty was ratified by Spain (at the time, the Crowns of Castile and Aragon), 2 July 1494 and by Portugal, 5 September 1494. (wikipedia.org)

 

[William of Tyre]

I hope these Filipinos do not misread as lack of intention to wage war on the part of the Chinese the stationing of only Coast Guard vessels in the disputed territories. The Chinese may be taking a leaf from the Russian Georgian campaign. The Chinese do not need an airtight legal argument as cassus belli to strike Philippine military targets, since self-defense, attack on Chinese civilians or non-military assets, may be used as a valid justification (like how Russians claimed their citizens were hurt or killed by Georgian forces).

Noted Sir. But then again, any action the Chinese may do, will still be committed within the exclusive econozmic zone (200 miles) of the Philippines, which would clearly amount to an aggression, in derogation to the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines, guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea. Any act therefore, in view of UNCLOS, would be considered by the family of nations as an act of aggression considering that their claims is spurious. (they are even afraid to bring it to the UN Tribunal)

 

[badguy2000]

Noted Sir. But then again, any action the Chinese may do, will still be committed within the exclusive econozmic zone (200 miles) of the Philippines, which would clearly amount to an aggression, in derogation to the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines, guaranteed by the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea. Any act therefore, in view of UNCLOS, would be considered by the family of nations as an act of aggression considering that their claims is spurious. (they are even afraid to bring it to the UN Tribunal)

the ownership of islands is not based on EEZ.Instead, EEZ is based on the ownership of islands.
that is mean, Philippins can not claim Scarborough Shoal,just because it is less 200 miles away from its maind islands.,while Scarborough Shoal is still a disputed area.

BTW, Phillpins didn't claim Scarborough Shoal until 1990s.while CHina has been claiming it since 1940s....

 

[asianobserve]

the ownership of islands is not based on EEZ.Instead, EEZ is based on the ownership of islands.
that is mean, Philippins can not claim Scarborough Shoal,just because it is less 200 miles away from its maind islands.,while Scarborough Shoal is still a disputed area.

BTW, Phillpins didn't claim Scarborough Shoal until 1990s.while CHina has been claiming it since 1940s....

 

[fzaq]

rob what? you are the one whos robbing. closest piece if land from china is some 500miles away while the shoal is 180 miles from masinloc zambales

 

[Avenger]

rob what? you are the one whos robbing. closest piece if land from china is some 500miles away while the shoal is 180 miles from masinloc zambales

so, you do think Falkland islands should belong to Argentina?

ps. Fllipin is close to China, Fllipin should belong to China but not US.

 

[Zero_Wing]

Its Philippines and second we belong to no one but ourselves you people are scum and must burn in hell thirdly you should practice your English because it sucks and stink like your urine smell arrogant fool

 

[satish007]

China says—'with finality'—it won't go to court over shoal

sir. American is the world police, but Chinese are the world boss now. and China are UN Permanent Member. why China afraid.
to be a smart PH, you guys should kiss both China and US 's ass, then you will enjoy supporting from both sides. your current president sucks.

 

[fzaq]

so, you do think Falkland islands should belong to Argentina?

ps. Fllipin is close to China, Fllipin should belong to China but not US.

the falkland case is different from the panatag shoal case you dumbass

 

[fzaq]

Its Philippines and second we belong to no one but ourselves you people are scum and must burn in hell thirdly you should practice your English because it sucks and stink like your urine smell arrogant fool

china can kiss our assess

 

[ice berg]

Is that what you were thinking when you kissing US assess? Mrs tough guy.