JUNE 16, Manila — The Philippines is set to argue its case against China’s claim over almost the entire South China Sea at the Hague this July.
Foreign Affairs Spokesman Charles Jose said the Netherlands-based United Nations court is scheduled to conduct a hearing from July 7 to 13 on a case lodged by the Philippines against China in 2013.
Jose said Philippine officials and diplomats, assisted by lawyers from the United States, will represent the country in the international proceedings that are expected to be closely monitored by the ASEAN region.
China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including areas close to the coasts of its neighbors. Other ASEAN countries like Taiwan and Vietnam also have standing claims in the area.
In January 2013, the Philippines asked the UN tribunal to declare China’s claim invalid and against international law. It argued that some of the areas claimed by China encroach on the country’s exclusive economic zone as defined by a 1982 UN convention on the Law of the Sea, which both China and the Philippines have ratified. (Eagle News)
