China slams House reso on West PH Sea aggression

Beijing rejected the resolution adopted by the House of Representatives condemning China's actions in the West Philippine Sea, according to a Saturday GMA Integrated News Bulletin.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin asserted that China was misrepresented in the supposed baseless resolution.

He also maintained that China had sovereignty over the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea.

"The resolution adopted by the House of Representatives of the Philippines groundlessly criticized, misrepresented and smeared China," said Wenbin.

"We firmly reject it," he added.

Wenbin went on to claim that China's sovereignty, rights, and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and were solidly grounded in history and the law.

"The Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration violated the principle of state consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires, and rendered an award in disregard of the law. This is a grave violation of UNCLOS and general international law. The award is illegal, null and void," said the ministry spokesperson, adding that, "China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award."

GMA Integrated News reached out to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), but both declined to comment on the matter.

House Resolution 1494, which was unanimously adopted Wednesday by the House of Representatives, condemned the harassment and "illegal actions" of the Chinese government despite the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) recognizing the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

"The Philippines should continue to assert and fight for its rights in the West Philippine Sea and uphold and implement its hard-earned victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, the Netherlands," the resolution read.

"Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the House of Representatives, to strongly condemn China's illegal actions in the West Philippine Sea, and urge the Philippine government to assert and protect the Philippines' sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration," it added. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News