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

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro criticized China at a Seoul defense forum after receiving an audience note supporting Beijing's rejection of a 2016 international tribunal ruling on maritime claims in the South China Sea. The note was read aloud during a discussion on maritime challenges and the importance of adhering to the U.N.

Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). China rejected the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling, which invalidated China's nine-dash line claims and reaffirmed the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. Despite the ruling being legally binding under UNCLOS, China continues to build artificial islands and interfere with Philippine maritime activities.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.