DFA chief slams China’s ‘revisionist’ stance on WPS row ahead of arbitral ruling anniversary
Metro Manila, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro blasted China’s continued defiance of international law, accusing Beijing of pushing a “revisionist, self-serving interpretation” of maritime rules as the Philippines marked the ninth anniversary of the landmark 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling.
In her keynote speech at a forum organized by Stratbase ADR Institute and the Australian Embassy on Friday, Lazaro said the Philippines will remain firm in upholding the Arbitral Award, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
“It is worrisome that China has continued to reject the binding Arbitral Award and persists with illegal, coercive, and aggressive actions under cover of a revisionist, self-serving interpretation and application of international law, particularly UNCLOS,” she said.
The ruling, Lazaro stressed, is “a lighthouse” in the region’s complex maritime disputes and has become “an unassailable part of the corpus of international law.” It has been cited in recent judgments by the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Lazaro, who delivered her first major speech on Philippine maritime policy as DFA secretary, said the 2016 ruling and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) will remain the foundation of the country’s maritime strategy.
She outlined the Philippines’ approach to defending its interests, including strengthening maritime law implementation, engaging in diplomatic dialogue with China and other ASEAN claimants, enhancing partnerships with allies, and supporting domestic defense capacity-building.
Despite tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Lazaro said the Philippines will “continue to be a paragon for the peaceful settlement of disputes” and stand firm on international law.
“The Philippines will not waver in firmly rejecting attempts to undermine the Award and international law,” she said. “Together, we can steady the sails and navigate through obstacles as we defend the rules-based order in the maritime domain.”
