Philippine defense chief slams China over audience note on South China Sea at Seoul forum

Seoul, September 8 (Yonhap) -- Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro voiced strong criticism against China during a defense forum in Seoul on Tuesday, after receiving a note from an audience member defending Beijing's refusal to accept a 2016 tribunal ruling that backed Manila's maritime claims in the South China Sea. While discussing maritime issues and the significance of adhering to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at a panel discussion, Teodoro was momentarily interrupted by the note, which was passed to him by a member of the audience.

Taking a pause in his speech, Teodoro read the note aloud, which laid out China's stance against the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) decision that invalidated China's "nine-dash line" claims and upheld the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. Despite the PCA ruling being final and legally binding under UNCLOS, China has dismissed the decision as "null and void" and proceeded to construct artificial islands in the disputed Spratly Islands, impeding the Philippines' maritime activities.

The secretary responded to each point raised in the note with sharp rebuttals. Upon reading that the arbitration violated fundamental international law, Teodoro retorted, "So what you're saying is UNCLOS violates international law? That's what you mean." When the note stated that the PCA award had "no binding force," Teodoro replied, "Because you don't want to be subject to UNCLOS, and Beijing neither accepts nor recognizes the ruling. Of course, because you lost."

Displaying the slip of paper, Teodoro denounced the action as a manifestation of China's desperate and ineffective stance, accusing Beijing of lacking basic decency and showing utter disrespect for international law. He drew applause from the audience and concluded by delivering a biting remark to the anonymous audience member who submitted the note, saying, "You've done your country a great service. Thank you, and I hope you don't suffer in a gulag for it."