The Chinese embassy in Manila reiterated that the Philippines and China have overlapping claims in the West Philippine Sea and that this must be resolved. According to the embassy, they are not violating the EEZ of the Philippines and both have the right to their maritime claims.
They pointed out that under international law, countries with overlapping maritime claims should delimit or adjust the boundary in a manner acceptable to both sides. China also advised against actions that would aggravate or increase tensions in the region.
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan stressed that China should respect the Philippines' 500,000 square kilometers EEZ according to UNCLOS, and called China's claim to 90 percent of the West Philippine/South China Sea illegal. He said that they respect the Chinese people, but they will not accept Xi Jinping's illegal claims in the region.
