UNCLOS must take precedence in South China Sea dispute —British envoy

British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce has reiterated the United Kingdom’s position on the South China Sea issue, saying that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) must take precedence.

Pruce issued the remark during an online call with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana after the latter shared the ongoing efforts in the country to raise understanding and build capacity in dealing with the situation on the disputed waters.

According to the Department of National Defense (DND), Pruce also expressed the United Kingdom’s readiness to provide support in related capacity-building efforts.

In 2020, the UK with France and Germany informed the United Nations of their rejection of China's "historic rights" in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Lorenzana welcomed the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which has set sail to the West Philippine Sea after Chinese ships swarmed the area.

The Philippines has filed numerous diplomatic protests over China’s continued presence and deployment of vessels in Philippine waters.

The DND said the two officials also exchanged updates on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout as well as other developments on the virus in the Philippines and the United Kingdom.

Lorenzana also expressed his appreciation for the UK’s role in the delivery of AstraZeneca vaccine in the country.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News