Lorenzana statement on Julian Felipe Reef perplexing –Chinese Embassy

The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Saturday called Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana's latest statement "perplexing" after he demanded anew for the immediate withdrawal of China's militia vessels surrounding a Philippine reef.

Defying Lorenzana's call, China maintained it had a historical claim over the feature, which is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"China is committed to safeguarding peace and stability in the waters and we hope that authorities concerned would make constructive efforts and avoid any unprofessional remarks which may further fan irrational emotions," the embassy said in a statement.

Julian Felipe Reef, called Niu'e Jiao by the Chinese, is a boomerang-shaped feature located 175 nautical miles of Bataraza, Palawan.

The embassy said the reef is part of China's Nansha Islands or Spratlys in the South China Sea. Manila renamed parts of the South China Sea that fall within its EEZ and continental shelf as the West Philippine Sea to assert sovereignty.

The embassy said the waters around the reef "has been a traditional fishing ground for Chinese fishermen for many years."

"The Chinese fishermen have been fishing in the waters for their livelihood every year. It is completely normal for Chinese fishing vessels to fish in the waters and take shelter near the reef during rough sea conditions. Nobody has the right to make wanton remarks on such activities," the embassy said.

On Sunday, Lorenzana said the remaining 44 Chinese vessels in Julian Felipe Reef should immediately leave.

"I am no fool. The weather has been good so far, so they have no other reason to stay there. These vessels should be on their way out. Umalis na kayo diyan,” Lorenzana said.

It was the strongest statement so far issued by a senior Philippine government official since more than 200 Chinese ships were spotted in the reef in early March.

Manila, backed by several nations led by the United States, filed a diplomatic protest against China last month.

China and five other governments - Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan - have been locked in long-simmering territorial rifts in the South China Sea that analysts feared as Asia’s next potential flashpoint for a major armed conflict.

Beijing insists on historic rights over nearly the entire waters, which is dotted by clusters of islands, cays, shoals, and reefs with rich fishing areas and natural oil and gas despite an international tribunal ruling in The Hague, Netherlands that invalidated its claim in 2016. — DVM, GMA News