"Delusional" China Extends Its Territorial Claims With the 10-Dash Line
China is "delusional" and "desperate," said Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
(SPOT.ph) As if nine-dash line wasn’t contested enough, China has unveiled a new 10-dash line as part of its 2023 edition standard map, expanding its supposed territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea.
The updated map includes 10 dashes forming a U-shape around the West Philippine Sea, now covering Taiwan and India's Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as per Senator Risa Hontiveros. Compared to the former nine-dash line, it encroaches further into several Southeast Asian countries' exclusive economic zones (EEZ).
The image with the new demarcation line was released by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources on August 28.
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The Philippine government on China’s new 10-dash line
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) underlined the lack of international legal foundation for China’s claims. It is also urging China to act responsibly and abide by its obligations under UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral ruling, which was in favor of the Philippines against China's claim within the former nine-dash line.
“This latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the DFA said in a statement.
Hontiveros took it a step further by calling China “delusional” for the move. She mentioned that India has lodged diplomatic protests against China, which she is expecting the DFA to follow.
"China is delusional. Wala na sa huwisyo itong Tsina. Kung ano-ano na lang ang ginagawa para mang-angkin ng mga teritoryong hindi naman sa kanya. This 'map' is Beijing's desperate attempt to assert its lies and propaganda," Hontiveros said in a statement.
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio also weighed in to condemn China, claiming that a new map will not change the ruling of the Hague-based court.
“This new map cannot change a period, comas or a single letter or number of the arbitral award. The Arbitral Award is there and cannot be changed by this map,” Carpio said in an interview with 24 Oras.
Also more: West Philippine Sea or South China Sea? The Difference Matters