China has accused the Philippines of "stirring up trouble" following sharp criticism from Philippines Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr. regarding Beijing's assertive pursuit of maritime claims in the South China Sea.
Teodoro addressed a defense forum in South Korea on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of upholding a 2016 international arbitration ruling that declared China's claims in the region to be without legal basis. During his remarks, he received a note from an individual, which he stated came from China. Reading from the note, Teodoro revealed it declared that "China neither accepts nor recognizes" the arbitration ruling. He responded to the note by stating, "Of course, because you lost," adding, "Have a little bit of decency, have a little bit of shame."
Teodoro characterized the delivery of the note as a sign of disrespect towards the forum and international law. Chinese representatives attended the Seoul Defense Dialogue but were not scheduled as panelists or speakers, and the origin of the note remains unclear.
In Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated she was unaware of the "specific situation" but reiterated that "China's position on the South China Sea arbitration case has been clear and consistent." Mao urged "the relevant people in the Philippines to stop seeking attention and stirring up trouble and to cease undermining China-Philippines relations and stability in the South China Sea."
China has consistently rejected the 2016 tribunal ruling, which was established in The Hague under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ruling invalidated China's expansive claims over the South China Sea, a vital global trade route. China has refused to participate in the arbitration process, which was initiated by the Philippines in 2013 following a maritime standoff. Despite the ruling, China continues to assert claims over most of the waterway.
In July, the United States, Britain, and several other Western and Asian nations issued a joint statement reaffirming the illegality of China's claims based on the 2016 ruling.
The South China Sea has been the site of numerous territorial disputes involving China and neighboring countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. In a recent incident in July, the Philippine military reported that a Chinese coast guard vessel injured a Filipino sailor at a disputed shoal. The military alleged that Chinese coast guard personnel struck the sailor on the head with a wooden baton, injuring him and damaging his vessel. China, in turn, claimed that two rubber boats belonging to a Filipino vessel had rammed a Chinese boat.
Teodoro described these actions at the defense forum as moving beyond "gray zone" tactics to "actual coercion, bullying and aggression." He concluded by stating he would keep the note as a memento of China's perceived desperation and the ineffectiveness of its position.