Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 9: A dramatic diplomatic confrontation unfolded at a defence forum in Seoul on Tuesday after Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was handed a note from Chinese representatives while he was speaking about the South China Sea dispute.
Teodoro read it aloud before the audience and then publicly challenged China’s position, which reiterated Beijing’s rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling that found China’s sweeping claims in the disputed waters had no legal basis. “I have a note here. I think this is from China. And may I read it?” Teodoro said before reading the message, which stated that China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration was “clear, consistent and firm” and that the arbitration violated fundamental principles of international law.
Teodoro responded sharply, describing China’s conduct as “coercion, bullying, and aggression.” He said he would keep the note as an example of what he characterised as China’s desperation and the ineffectiveness of its position before an international audience.
He then questioned the manner in which the message had been delivered, asking how China expected to engage with other countries civilly while disrespecting the organisers of the forum. “Is this the right paper to post to me when I’m being asked a question on the floor?” Teodoro asked.
He went on to accuse China of disrespecting international law, referring specifically to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, as well as the Republic of Korea, which hosted the forum, and the wider audience. “Perhaps basic decency and behaviour is what China needs to do,” he said.
The note reiterated Beijing’s longstanding position that it does not accept or recognise the 2016 international arbitration ruling concerning the South China Sea. The tribunal in The Hague rejected the legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims under international law. Teodoro’s response was particularly pointed. He argued that Beijing’s rejection of the ruling stemmed from the fact that China had lost the case, while also criticising the way its position had been presented to him during the forum.
The Philippines has repeatedly accused China of using coercive tactics to advance its claims in the South China Sea. Beijing, in turn, has accused Manila of provoking tensions and escalating disputes in the contested waters.
