What's at stake in our case vs China BY JUSTICE ANTONIO T. CARPIO Our 1987 Constitution mandates !

T"e State s"a## $rote%t t"e nation&s marine 'ea#t" in its ((( e(%#usi)e e%onomi% *one+ and reser)e its use and en,o-ment e(%#usi)e#- to .i#i$ino %iti*ens./ T"is is t"e mandate o0 t"e Constitution t"at 'e "a)e a## so#emn#- s'orn to u$"o#d. To 0u#0i## t"e State&s o1#i2ation to $rote%t t"e nation&s marine 'ea#t" in its e(%#usi)e e%onomi% *one 3EE45+ t"e P"i#i$$ines "as 0i#ed an ar1itration %ase a2ainst C"ina in a%%ordan%e 'it" t"e 1986 United Nations Con)ention on t"e 7a' o0 t"e Sea 3UNC7OS5. At sta8e in t"e ar1itration 1e0ore an UNC7OS Anne( 9II tri1una# is '"et"er t"e P"i#i$$ines 'i## 8ee$ or #ose 8:; o0 its e(%#usi)e e%onomi% *one and 1::; o0 its e(tended %ontinenta# s"e#0 in t"e <est P"i#i$$ines Sea. UNC7OS+ rati0ied 1- 1=> states %om$risin2 8>; o0 t"e entire mem1ers"i$ o0 t"e United Nations+ is t"e $rimar- internationa# #a' 2o)ernin2 t"e use o0 t"e o%eans and seas o0 our $#anet. S$e%i0i%a##-+ UNC7OS 2o)erns t"e use o0 t"e 0o##o'in2 maritime *ones 3a5 interna# 'aters or ar%"i$e#a2i% 'aters+ t"e #and'ard 'aters ad,a%ent to t"e territoria# sea? 315 territoria# sea+ an area o0 16 N@ 0rom t"e 1ase#ines a#on2 t"e %oast? 3%5 e(%#usi)e e%onomi% *one 3EE45+ an area o0 6:: N@ 0rom t"e 1ase#ines? 3d5 e(tended %ontinenta# s"e#0 3ECS5+ an additiona# area o0 1>: N@ 0rom t"e outer #imits o0 t"e EE4? and 3e5 t"e AREA+ '"i%" is t"e %ommon "erita2e o0 man8ind+ t"e maritime *one 1e-ond t"e ECS. T"e AREA 1e#on2s to a## states+ '"et"er %oasta# or #andA#o%8ed. UNC7OS 2o)erns maritime dis$utes on o)er#a$$in2 maritime *ones #i8e o)er#a$$in2 territoria# seas+ EE4s and ECSs. UNC7OS does not 2o)ern territoria# dis$utes+ '"i%" are so)erei2nt- or o'ners"i$ issues o)er #and territor- #i8e is#ands or ro%8s a1o)e 'ater at "i2" tide. Ro%8s t"at are 1e#o' 'ater+ or su1mer2ed+ at "i2" tide are not %onsidered #and and t"us dis$utes o)er su%" ro%8s are 2o)erned 1- UNC7OS. UNC7OS $ro)ides 0or a %om$u#sor- dis$ute sett#ement me%"anism o)er maritime dis$utes amon2 its mem1er states+ in%#udin2 dis$utes in)o#)in2 t"e inter$retation or a$$#i%ation o0 t"e $ro)isions o0 UNC7OS. A state ma- o$t out o0 %ertain s$e%i0ied dis$utes+ one o0 '"i%" is maritime 1oundar- de#imitation arisin2 0rom o)er#a$$in2 territoria# seas+ EE4s or ECSs. A state %annot o$t out o0 an- dis$ute e(%e$t t"ose e($ress#- s$e%i0ied under UNC7OS. C"ina+ t"e P"i#i$$ines and a## t"e ot"er dis$utant states in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea are $arties to UNC7OS+ and are t"us 1ound 1- t"e UNC7OS %om$u#sor- dis$ute sett#ement me%"anism. @aritime dis$utes are 2o)erned $rimari#- 1- UNC7OS+ '"i#e territoria# dis$utes are 2o)erned 1- t"e 2enera# ru#es and $rin%i$#es o0 internationa# #a'. @aritime dis$utes are su1,e%t to %om$u#sorar1itration 1e%ause under UNC7OS a $art- state "as 2i)en its ad)an%e %onsent to %om$u#sor- ar1itration+ un#ess a state "as o$ted out o0 %om$u#sor- ar1itration in)o#)in2 %ertain s$e%i0ied dis$utes. In %ontrast+ territoria# dis$utes %an 1e su1,e%t to ar1itration on#- 'it" t"e %onsent o0 ea%" dis$utant state to e)er- ar1itration+ un#ess su%" %onsent "as 1een 2i)en in ad)an%e in a treat-. T"ere is no su%" treat- 1et'een t"e P"i#i$$ines and C"ina in)o#)in2 %om$u#sor- ar1itration o0 territoria# dis$utes. So#e#- a maritime dis$ute T"e P"i#i$$ines& ar1itration %ase a2ainst C"ina is so#e#- a maritime dis$ute and does not in)o#)e an- territoria# dis$ute. T"e P"i#i$$ines is as8in2 t"e tri1una# i0 C"ina&s 9Adas"ed #ines %an ne2ate t"e P"i#i$$ines& EE4 as 2uaranteed under UNC7OS. T"e P"i#i$$ines is a#so as8in2 t"e tri1una# i0 %ertain ro%8s a1o)e 'ater at "i2" tide+ #i8e S%ar1orou2" S"oa#+ 2enerate a 6:: N@ EE4 or on#- a 16 N@ territoria# sea. T"e P"i#i$$ines is 0urt"er as8in2 t"e tri1una# i0 C"ina %an a$$ro$riate #o'Atide e#e)ations 37TEs5+ #i8e @is%"ie0 Ree0 and Su1i Ree0+ 'it"in t"e P"i#i$$ines& EE4. T"ese dis$utes in)o#)e t"e inter$retation or a$$#i%ation o0 t"e $ro)isions o0 UNC7OS. T"e P"i#i$$ines is not as8in2 t"e tri1una# to de#imit 1- nauti%a# measurements o)er#a$$in2 EE4s 1et'een C"ina and t"e P"i#i$$ines. T"e P"i#i$$ines is a#so not as8in2 t"e tri1una# '"at %ountr- "as

so)erei2nt- o)er an is#and+ or ro%8 a1o)e 'ater at "i2" tide+ in t"e <est P"i#i$$ine Sea. Under UNC7OS+ e)er- %oasta# state is entit#ed to a 6:: N@ EE4+ su1,e%t to 1oundar- de#imitation in %ase o0 o)er#a$$in2 EE4s 'it" ot"er %oasta# states. T"e EE4 is t"e area e(tendin2 to 6:: N@ measured 0rom t"e 1ase#ines o0 a %oasta# state. Under UNC7OS+ EE4s must 1e dra'n 0rom 1ase#ines o0 t"e %oast o0 a %ontinenta# #and or is#and %a$a1#e o0 "uman "a1itation o0 its o'n. T"is 1asi% reBuirement stems 0rom t"e internationa# #a' $rin%i$#e t"at t"e !#and dominates t"e sea/ C or to $ut it anot"er 'a-+ areas in t"e seas and o%eans %an 1e %#aimed and measured on#- 0rom #and. A %oasta# state "as 0u## so)erei2nt- o)er its 16 N@ territoria# sea. Be-ond t"e territoria# sea+ t"e %oasta# state "as on#- s$e%i0i% !so)erei2n ri2"ts/ u$ to 6:: N@ 0rom its 1ase#ines. T"ese !so)erei2n ri2"ts/ are to t"e e(%#usion o0 a## ot"er states. T"e term !so)erei2n ri2"ts/ re0ers to s$e%i0i% ri2"ts t"at do not amount to 0u## !so)erei2nt-./ A %oasta# state&s !so)erei2n ri2"ts/ to its EE4 1e-ond t"e territoria# sea re0er $rin%i$a##- to t"e e(%#usi)e ri2"t to e($#oit t"e #i)in2 and nonA#i)in2 resour%es in t"e area+ 'it"out ot"er so)erei2n ri2"ts #i8e t"e ri2"t to den- 0reedom o0 na)i2ation and o)erA0#i2"t+ '"i%" a %oasta# state %an den- in its territoria# sea. C"ina %#aims a#most 9:; o0 t"e Sout" C"ina Sea under its soA%a##ed 9A das"ed #ine ma$+ '"i%" o)er#a$s 8:; o0 t"e P"i#i$$ines& EE4 in t"e <est P"i#i$$ine Sea. I0 C"ina&s %#aim is u$"e#d+ t"e P"i#i$$ines 'i## #ose 8:; o0 its EE4 in t"e <est P"i#i$$ine Sea+ in%#udin2 t"e Reed Ban8 and e)en @a#am$a-a. T"e P"i#i$$ines 'i## a#so #ose a## its ECS in t"e <est P"i#i$$ine Sea. T"e maritime dis$ute 1et'een t"e P"i#i$$ines and C"ina 1oi#s do'n to '"et"er t"ere are o)er#a$$in2 EE4s 1et'een t"e P"i#i$$ines and C"ina in t"e <est P"i#i$$ine Sea. Are t"e 'aters en%#osed 1- C"ina&s 9Adas"ed #ines $art o0 t"e EE4 o0 C"ina su%" t"at C"ina&s EE4 o)er#a$s 'it" t"e EE4 o0 t"e P"i#i$$inesD C"ina a#so %#aims t"at t"e is#ands in t"e S$rat#-s #i8e Itu A1a 2enerate t"eir o'n EE4s '"i%" o)er#a$ 'it" t"e P"i#i$$ines& EE4 in Pa#a'an. C"ina ar2ues+ t"rou2" its s%"o#ars and o00i%ia#s+ t"at t"e ar1itra# tri1una# "as no ,urisdi%tion o)er t"e P"i#i$$ines& %#aim 0or t'o reasons .irst+ t"e dis$ute in)o#)es maritime 1oundar- de#imitation arisin2 0rom o)er#a$$in2 EE4s o0 t"e P"i#i$$ines and C"ina+ a dis$ute t"at C"ina "as o$ted out o0 %om$u#sor- ar1itration. Se%ond+ C"ina&s 9Adas"ed #ine %#aim is a "istori%a# ri2"t t"at $redates UNC7OS and %annot 1e ne2ated 1- UNC7OS. On t"ese 2rounds+ C"ina "as re0used to $arti%i$ate in t"e ar1itra# $ro%eedin2s. T"e P"i#i$$ines& res$onse is t"at t"e 'aters en%#osed 'it"in C"ina&s 9A das"ed #ines do not %onstitute an EE4 1e%ause t"e 9Adas"ed #ines are not dra'n 0rom 1ase#ines a#on2 t"e %oast o0 %ontinenta# #and or "a1ita1#e is#ands. Under UNC7OS+ EE4s %an on#- 1e dra'n 0rom 1ase#ines a#on2 t"e %oast o0 %ontinenta# #and or an is#and %a$a1#e o0 "uman "a1itation or e%onomi% #i0e o0 its o'n. C"ina&s 9Adas"ed #ines do not %om$#- 'it" t"e 1asi% reBuirement o0 UNC7OS 0or dra'in2 EE4s. C"ina "as no EE4 t"at o)er#a$s 'it" t"e P"i#i$$ines& EE4 in t"e S%ar1orou2" area. C"ina&s 1ase#ines are eit"er a#on2 t"e %oast o0 Eainan Is#and+ '"i%" is >8: N@ 0rom 7u*on+ or a#on2 t"e %oast o0 main#and C"ina+ '"i%" is F8> N@ mi#es 0rom t"e 4am1a#es %oast#ine in 7u*on 0a%in2 S%ar1orou2" S"oa#. E)en i0 -ou 2rant t"e C"ineseA"e#d Para%e#s an EE4+ t"e Para%e#s are a1out F8: N@ 0rom 7u*on. To "a)e o)er#a$$in2 EE4s+ t"e distan%e 1et'een t"e o$$osite 1ase#ines must 1e #ess t"an F:: N@. In t"e S%ar1orou2" area+ t"ere is no 1ase#ine in 7u*on '"ere its distan%e 0rom t"e nearest C"inese 1ase#ine is #ess t"an F:: N@. 7o'ATideAE#e)ations or 7TEs are ro%8s a1o)e 'ater at #o' tide 1ut 1e#o' 'ater+ or su1mer2ed+ at "i2" tide. 7TEs are not #and 1ut $art o0 t"e su1mer2ed %ontinenta# s"e#0. Under UNC7OS+ 7TEs 1e-ond t"e 16 N@ territoria# sea are not %a$a1#e o0 a$$ro$riation 1- an- state. As $art o0 t"e su1mer2ed %ontinenta# s"e#0+ 7TEs 1e-ond t"e territoria# sea 1ut 'it"in t"e EE4 o0 a %oasta# state are su1,e%t to t"e so)erei2n ri2"ts o0 su%" %oasta# state.

T"us+ 7TEs in t"e S$rat#-s 'it"in t"e 6:: N@ EE4 o0 t"e P"i#i$$ines+ #i8e @is%"ie0 Ree0 and Su1i Ree0+ are su1,e%t to t"e so)erei2n ri2"ts o0 t"e P"i#i$$ines. Under UNC7OS+ on#- t"e P"i#i$$ines %an %onstru%t stru%tures on 7TEs 'it"in its EE4. Geo2ra$"i% and "-dro2ra$"i% sur)e-s+ sate##ite ima2eries+ and internationa# nauti%a# %"arts+ in%#udin2 C"ina&s o'n nauti%a# %"arts+ a## s"o' t"at se)era# 2eo#o2i% 0eatures in t"e S$rat#-s o%%u$ied 1- C"ina+ in%#udin2 @is%"ie0 Ree0 and Su1i Ree0+ are 7TEs 'it"in t"e P"i#i$$ines& 6:: N@ EE4. S%ar1orou2" S"oa#+ 16F N@ 0rom 4am1a#es in 7u*on+ #ies 'it"in t"e P"i#i$$ines& 6:: N@ EE4. S%ar1orou2" S"oa# "as H to F ro%8s t"at $rotrude not more t"an 6 meters a1o)e 'ater at "i2" tide. T"e ro%8s "a)e no )e2etation and o1)ious#- %annot sustain "uman "a1itation or e%onomi% #i0e o0 t"eir o'n. As a nonA"a1ita1#e !is#and+/ S%ar1orou2" S"oa# 2enerates on#- a 16 N@ territoria# sea. Contrar- to C"ina&s %#aim+ S%ar1orou2" S"oa# %annot+ 0or o1)ious reasons+ 2enerate an E44. T"e P"i#i$$ine $osition is t"at '"et"er C"ina or t"e P"i#i$$ines+ '"i%" are t"e on#- t'o %#aimant states+ "as so)erei2nt- o)er S%ar1orou2" S"oa#+ t"e ro%8s %an on#- 2enerate a 16 N@ territoria# sea. T"us+ S%ar1orou2" S"oa# "as no o)er#a$$in2 EE4 'it" t"e EE4 o0 7u*on. In t"e S$rat#-s+ 'it" t"e e(%e$tion o0 C"ina+ a## t"e dis$utant states+ name#- t"e P"i#i$$ines+ 9ietnam+ and @a#a-sia+ a2ree t"at none o0 t"e is#ands in t"e S$rat#-s 2enerates an EE4. T"e #ar2est is#and+ Itu A1a+ "as a #and area o0 on#- H7.7 "e%tares and a %oast#ine o0 1.: I@ 0a%in2 Pa#a'an+ t"e #ar2est P"i#i$$ine $ro)in%e. Pa#a'an "as a #and area o0 1+F89+=>> "e%tares and a %oast#ine o0 =>: I@ 0a%in2 Itu A1a. In s"ort+ Pa#a'an&s %oast#ine is =>: times #on2er+ and its #and area H9+>1H times #ar2er+ t"an t"ose o0 Itu A1a. T"e distan%e 1et'een Itu A1a and Pa#a'an is 6>: N@. Itu A1a is o%%u$ied 1- Tai'an+ '"i%" t"e P"i#i$$ines re%o2ni*es as $art o0 C"ina. Under UNC7OS+ to 2enerate an EE4 an is#and must 1e %a$a1#e o0 "uman "a1itation or e%onomi% #i0e o0 its o'n. T"e so#diers stationed in Itu A1a %annot sur)i)e 'it"out $eriodi% su$$#ies 0rom Tai'an. In t"e #a' o0 t"e sea ,uris$ruden%e+ t"ere are man- is#ands 1i22er t"an Itu A1a t"at "a)e 1een denied EE4s o$$osite a main#and or a mu%" #ar2er is#and. In a## $ro1a1i#it-+ an internationa# tri1una# 'i## den- Itu A1a an EE4. E)en assumin2 0or t"e sa8e o0 ar2ument t"at Itu A1a 2enerates an EE4+ t"e UNC7OS ru#e o0 ensurin2 an !eBuita1#e so#ution/ in maritime 1oundar- de#imitation $ro"i1its an- su1stantia# dis$ro$ortion in t"e a##o%ation o0 EE4s i0 t"e #en2t" o0 t"e o$$osite %oast#ines are su1stantia##- uneBua#. T"e o$$osite %oast#ine o0 Itu A1a is 1 I@ '"i#e t"at o0 Pa#a'an is =>: I@. EBuita1#e so#ution Under #a' o0 t"e sea ,uris$ruden%e+ t"e ru#e o0 !eBuita1#e so#ution/ in o$$osite %oast#ines reBuires a reasona1#e de2ree o0 $ro$ortiona#it-+ or at #east a1sen%e o0 e(%essi)e dis$ro$ortiona#it-+ in t"e #en2t"s o0 t"e %oast#ines and t"e areas o0 t"e ad,a%ent EE4s. T"e 1estA%ase s%enario 0or Itu A1a is a redu%ed EE4 o0 >: N@ 0a%in2 Pa#a'an+ '"i#e Pa#a'an 'i## "a)e a 0u## EE4 o0 6:: N@ 0a%in2 Itu A1a. Itu A1a ma-+ "o'e)er+ 1e 2i)en a #on2er or e)en a 0u## EE4 0a%in2 t"e Sout" C"ina Sea a'a0rom Pa#a'an. O0 %ourse+ i0 an ar1itra# tri1una# ru#es t"at Itu A1a is %a$a1#e o0 "uman "a1itation or e%onomi% #i0e o0 its o'n and t"us 2enerates an EE4+ t"e tri1una# 'i## "a)e no ,urisdi%tion to $ro%eed 0urt"er 'it"out t"e %onsent o0 C"ina. T"e ar1itra# tri1una# %annot ru#e on t"e e(tent o0 su%" EE4 0or t"at 'i## in)o#)e a maritime 1oundar- de#imitation on o)er#a$$in2 EE4s C a dis$ute t"at C"ina "as e(%e$ted 0rom %om$u#sor- ar1itration. In su%" e)entua#it-+ '"ere an ar1itra# tri1una# ru#es t"at Itu A1a 2enerates an EE4+ t"e P"i#i$$ines 'i## t"en 0i#e a se%ond %ase a2ainst C"ina+ t"is time 0or %om$u#sor- %on%i#iation o)er t"e maritime 1oundarde#imitation 1et'een C"ina&s EE4 in Itu A1a and t"e P"i#i$$ines& EE4 in Pa#a'an. Under UNC7OS+ states t"at o$t out o0 %om$u#sorar1itration in maritime de#imitation o0 sea 1oundaries %annot o$t out o0 %om$u#sor- %on%i#iation. <"i#e t"e re$ort o0 t"e %on%i#iation

%ommission is nonA1indin2+ it 'i## "a)e $ersuasi)e aut"orit- as t"e eBuita1#e 1oundar- de#imitation under internationa# #a'. Interestin2#-+ in C"ina&s dis$ute 'it" Ja$an o)er t"e Ja$aneseA"e#d Sen8a8u Is#ands in t"e East C"ina Sea+ C"ina %#aims t"at t"e #ar2est Sen8a8u is#and A Uotsuris"ima A 'it" an area o0 FH: "e%tares+ does not 2enerate an EE4 1ut on#- a 16 N@ territoria# sea 1e%ause+ a%%ordin2 to C"ina+ Uotsuris"ima %annot sustain "uman "a1itation o0 its o'n. In s"ar$ %ontrast+ C"ina %#aims t"at Itu A1a+ '"i%" "as an area o0 on#H7.7 "e%tares+ and S%ar1orou2" S"oa#+ '"ose #ar2est ro%8 "as an area o0 not more t"an H sBuare meters+ ea%" 2enerates a 6:: N@ EE4+ im$#-in2 t"at 1ot" Itu A1a and S%ar1orou2" %an sustain "uman "a1itation o0 t"eir o'n. Uotsuris"ima is 11.F times #ar2er t"an Itu A1a and 8=:+::: times #ar2er t"an t"e #ar2est S%ar1orou2" ro%8. T"is is not t"e on#- 2#arin2 in%onsisten%- o0 C"ina. C"ina %#aims t"at t"e #ar2est Ja$aneseA"e#d ro%8 in O8inorotis"ima in t"e P"i#i$$ine Sea+ $rotrudin2 a1out t'o 0eet a1o)e 'ater at "i2" tide 'it" an area o0 #ess t"an F sBuare meters+ does not 2enerate a 6:: N@ 1ut on#- a 16 N@ territoria# sea 1e%ause o1)ious#- O8inorotis"ima %annot sustain "uman "a1itation o0 its o'n. Yet C"ina %#aims t"at S%ar1orou2"+ '"i%" ,ust as o1)ious#- %annot sustain "uman "a1itation o0 its o'n+ 2enerates a 6:: N@ EE4. T"ere is neit"er reason nor r"-me in C"ina&s $osition. C"ina on s"a8- 2round C"ina&s %#aim to a !"istori%a# ri2"t/ to t"e 'aters en%#osed 'it"in t"e 9A das"ed #ines in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea is utter#- 'it"out 1asis under internationa# #a'. T"is is t"e a#most uni)ersa# o$inion o0 nonAC"inese s%"o#ars on t"e #a' o0 t"e sea. .irst+ UNC7OS e(tin2uis"ed a## "istori%a# ri2"ts o0 ot"er states 'it"in t"e 6:: N@ EE4 o0 t"e ad,a%ent %oasta# state. T"at is '"- t"is 6:: N@ *one is %a##ed !e(%#usi)e/ C no state ot"er t"an t"e ad,a%ent %oasta# state %an e($#oit e%onomi%a##- its resour%es. .is"in2 ri2"ts t"at ot"er states "istori%a##- en,o-ed 'it"in t"e EE4 o0 a %oasta# state automati%a##- terminated u$on t"e e00e%ti)it- o0 UNC7OS. @oreo)er+ UNC7OS $ro"i1its states 0rom ma8in2 an- reser)ation or e(%e$tion to UNC7OS un#ess e($ress#- a##o'ed 1- UNC7OS. Anreser)ation o0 %#aims to "istori%a# ri2"ts o)er t"e EE4 or ECS o0 anot"er %oasta# state is $ro"i1ited 1e%ause UNC7OS does not e($ress#- a##o' a state to %#aim "istori%a# ri2"ts to t"e EE4 or ECS o0 anot"er state. In s"ort+ UNC7OS does not re%o2ni*e !"istori%a# ri2"ts/ as 1asis 0or %#aimin2 t"e EE4s or ECSs o0 ot"er %oasta# states. Se%ond+ under UNC7OS t"e term !"istori% 1a-s/ re0ers to interna# 'aters+ and t"e term !"istori% tit#es/ re0ers to territoria# seas. A state %an %#aim !"istori%a# ri2"ts/ o)er 'aters on#- as $art o0 its interna# 'aters or territoria# sea. T"us+ under UNC7OS+ a state %annot %#aim !"istori%a# ri2"ts/ o)er 'aters 1e-ond its territoria# sea. T"e Sout" C"ina Sea+ 1e-ond t"e 16 N@ territoria# sea o0 %oasta# states+ "as ne)er 1een %onsidered as t"e interna# 'aters or territoria# sea o0 an- state. Sin%e time immemoria#+ s"i$s o0 a## nations "a)e e(er%ised 0reedom o0 na)i2ation in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea. 7i8e'ise+ sin%e t"e time air$#anes 0#e' a%ross t"e seas+ air%ra0t o0 a## nations "a)e e(er%ised 0reedom o0 o)erA0#i2"t o)er t"e Sout" C"ina Sea. I0 t"e Sout" C"ina Sea 'ere t"e interna# 'aters or territoria# sea o0 C"ina+ t"en no state %ou#d "a)e e(er%ised 0reedom o0 na)i2ation and 0reedom o0 o)erA0#i2"t o)er t"e Sout" C"ina Sea. Indeed+ C"ina "as stated t"at t"ere is 0reedom o0 na)i2ation and 0reedom o0 o)erA0#i2"t in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea+ an admission t"at t"e 'aters en%#osed 'it"in t"e 9Adas"ed #ines do not %onstitute C"ina&s interna# 'aters or territoria# sea. T"e 'aters en%#osed 'it"in t"e 9Adas"ed #ines %annot a#so 0orm $art o0 C"ina&s EE4 or ECS 1e%ause t"e- are not dra'n 0rom C"ina&s 1ase#ines and are 1e-ond t"e #imits o0 C"ina&s EE4 and ECS as dra'n 0rom C"ina&s 1ase#ines. In s"ort+ C"ina&s %#aim to t"e 'aters en%#osed 1- t"e 9Adas"ed #ine %#aim does not 0a## under an- o0 t"e maritime *ones A interna# 'aters+ territoria# sea+ EE4 and ECS A re%o2ni*ed 1internationa# #a' or UNC7OS t"at %an 1e %#aimed 1- a %oasta# state. On#- C"ina seems to 8no' '"at 8ind o0 maritime re2ime t"e 9Adas"ed #ine 'aters 0a## under+ 1ut C"ina is not te##in2 t"e 'or#d e(%e$t t"at it is

%#aimin2 !indis$uta1#e so)erei2nt-/ o)er su%" 'aters 1- !"istori%a# ri2"t./ T"ird+ under t"e 2enera# $rin%i$#es and ru#es o0 internationa# #a'+ a %#aim o0 !"istori%a# ri2"ts/ to interna# 'aters or territoria# sea must satis0- 0our %onditions. One+ t"e state must 0orma##- announ%e to t"e internationa# %ommunit- su%" %#aim to interna# 'aters or territoria# sea+ %#ear#- s$e%i0-in2 t"e e(tent and s%o$e o0 su%" %#aim. T'o+ t"e state must e(er%ise e00e%ti)e aut"orit-+ t"at is+ so)erei2nt-+ o)er t"e 'aters it %#aims as its o'n interna# 'aters or territoria# sea. T"ree+ su%" e(er%ise o0 e00e%ti)e aut"orit- must 1e %ontinuous o)er a su1stantia# $eriod o0 time. .our+ ot"er states must re%o2ni*e+ to#erate or a%Buies%e to t"e e(er%ise o0 su%" aut"orit-. C"ina 0ai#s to %om$#- 'it" an- o0 t"ese 0our %onditions. C"ina o00i%ia##noti0ied t"e 'or#d o0 its 9Adas"ed #ine %#aim on#- in 6::9 '"en C"ina su1mitted t"e 9Adas"ed #ine ma$ to t"e United Nations Se%retarGenera#. Not a sin2#e %ountr- in t"e 'or#d re%o2ni*es+ res$e%ts+ to#erates or a%Buies%es to C"ina&s 9Adas"ed #ine %#aim. C"ina "as ne)er e00e%ti)e#- en0or%ed its 9Adas"ed #ine %#aim 0rom t"e time o0 C"ina&s domesti% re#ease o0 its 9Adas"ed #ine ma$ in 19F7 u$ to 199F '"en UNC7OS too8 e00e%t+ and e)en a0ter 199F u$ to t"e $resent. T"us+ under t"e 2enera# $rin%i$#es and ru#es o0 internationa# #a'+ C"ina %annot %#aim an- !"istori%a# ri2"t/ t"at $reAdated UNC7OS. E)en assumin2+ 0or t"e sa8e o0 ar2ument+ t"at C"ina "as su%" !"istori%a# ri2"t+/ t"e entr- into 0or%e o0 UNC7OS in 199F e(tin2uis"ed su%" ri2"t. Under UNC7OS+ a state %annot %#aim an- !"istori%a# ri2"t/ to t"e EE4 or ECS o0 anot"er state. <ea8 $osition C"ina+ 'it" its 1#atant#- 'ea8 $osition under internationa# #a'+ "as tried to s"ore u$ its $osition 'it" soA%a##ed !"istori%a# 0a%ts/. .or one+ C"ina %#aims t"at S%ar1orou2" S"oa#+ or Euan2-an Is#and to t"e C"inese+ is t"e Nan"ai is#and t"at t"e 1Ht" %entur- C"inese astronomerAen2ineerA mat"emati%ian Guo S"ou,in2 a##e2ed#- )isited in 1679+ "a)in2 1een ordered 1- Iu1#ai I"an+ t"e 0irst em$eror o0 t"e Yuan J-nast-+ to %ondu%t a sur)e- o0 t"e .our Seas to u$date t"e Sun2 J-nast%a#endar s-stem. T"us+ t"e C"inese Em1ass- 'e1site in @ani#a %#aims Euan2-an Is#and 'as 0irst dis%o)ered and dre' 3si%5 into C"inaKs ma$ in C"inaKs Yuan J-nast- 31671A1H=8 AJ5. In 1679+ C"inese astronomer Guo S"ou,in2 $er0ormed sur)e-in2 o0 t"e seas around C"ina 0or Iu1#ai I"an+ and Euan2-an Is#and 'as %"osen as t"e $oint in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea. T"e a##e2ed )isit o0 Gou S"ou,in2 to S%ar1orou2" S"oa# in 1679 is t"e on#- "istori%a# #in8 t"at C"ina %#aims to S%ar1orou2" S"oa#. Eo'e)er+ in a do%ument entit#ed C"ina&s So)erei2nt- O)er Lis"a and 4"on2sa Is#ands Is Indis$uta1#e issued on Januar- H:+ 198:+ C"ina&s @inistr- o0 .orei2n A00airs o00i%ia##- de%#ared t"at t"e Nan"ai is#and t"at Guo S"ou,in2 )isited in 1679 'as in Lis"a or '"at is internationa##%a##ed t"e Para%e#s+ a 2rou$ o0 is#ands more t"an H8: N@ 0rom S%ar1orou2" S"oa#. C"ina issued t"is o00i%ia# do%ument to 1o#ster its %#aim to t"e Para%e#s to %ounter 9ietnam&s stron2 "istori%a# %#aims to t"e same is#ands. T"is C"inese o00i%ia# do%ument+ $u1#is"ed in Bei,in2 Re)ie'+ Issue No. 7 dated .e1ruar- 18+ 198:+ states Ear#- in t"e Yuan J-nast-+ an astronomi%a# o1ser)ation 'as %arried out at 67 $#a%es t"rou2"out t"e %ountr-. In t"e 1=t" -ear o0 t"e rei2n o0 4"i-uan 316795 Iu1#ai I"an or Em$eror S"i 4u+ 3si%5 $ersona##assi2ned Guo S"ou,in2+ t"e 0amous astronomer and Je$ut- Jire%tor o0 t"e Astronomi%a# Bureau+ to do t"e o1ser)ation in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea. A%%ordin2 to t"e o00i%ia# Eistor- o0 t"e Yuan J-nast-+ Nan"ai+ Gou&s o1ser)ation $oint+ 'as !to t"e sout" o0 4"u-a/ and !t"e resu#t o0 t"e sur)e- s"o'ed t"at t"e #atitude o0 Nan"ai is 1>MN./ T"e astronomi%a# o1ser)ation $oint Nan"ai 'as toda-&s Lis"a Is#ands. It s"o's t"at Lis"a Is#ands 'ere 'it"in t"e 1ounds o0 C"ina at t"e time o0 t"e Yuan d-nast-. C"ina is no' esto$$ed 0rom %#aimin2 t"at S%ar1orou2" S"oa# is Nan"ai is#and. C"ina "as o00i%ia##- de%#ared t"at Nan"ai is#and is in t"e Para%e#s+ and t"us C"ina %an no #on2er %#aim t"at S%ar1orou2" S"oa#

is t"e Nan"ai is#and t"at Gou S"ou,in2 )isited in 1679. Besides+ it is Buite ridi%u#ous to %#aim t"at t"e 0amous C"inese astronomerAen2ineerA mat"emati%ian 'ou#d )isit and 'rite 0or $osterit- a1out a 0e' 1arren ro%8s t"at 1are#- $rotruded a1o)e 'ater at "i2" tide. One %ou#d not ima2ine "o' Guo S"ou,in2 'ent as"ore to !)isit/ S%ar1orou2" S"oa# '"en it 'as ,ust a ro%8+ 'it" no )e2etation+ and did not e)en "a)e enou2" s$a%e to a%%ommodate an e($edition $art-. <orse+ t"e C"inese "istori%a# a%%ount t"at Guo S"ou,in2 insta##ed one o0 t"e 67 C"inese o1ser)atories on Nan"ai is#and %#ear#- ru#es out an$ossi1i#it- t"at S%ar1orou2" is Nan"ai is#and 1e%ause no o1ser)ator%ou#d "a)e $ossi1#- 1een $"-si%a##- insta##ed on S%ar1orou2" S"oa# at t"at time. Based on t"e e(tant Gao%"en2 O1ser)ator- 1ui#t in 167= 1- Guo S"ou,in2 in Eenan Pro)in%e+ Guo S"ou,in2&s 67 o1ser)atories 'ere massi)e 16.= meters "i2" stone and 1ri%8 stru%tures. T"e $ur$ose o0 t"e o1ser)atories 'as to a%%urate#- determine t"e duration o0 t"e %a#endar -ear. To o$erate su%" an o1ser)ator-+ one "ad to )isit t"e o1ser)ator- e)er- da- o0 t"e -ear to ta8e measurements. T"ere 'as sim$#- no 'a- at t"at time t"at su%" an o1ser)ator- %ou#d "a)e 1een 1ui#t and o$erated on t"e tin- ro%8s o0 S%ar1orou2" S"oa#. In s"ort+ it is 1ot" $"-si%a##- and #e2a##- im$ossi1#e 0or S%ar1orou2" to 1e Nan"ai is#and A $"-si%a##- 1e%ause no o1ser)ator- %ou#d $ossi1#"a)e 1een insta##ed in 1679 on t"e tin- S%ar1orou2" ro%8s+ and #e2a##1e%ause C"ina "as a#read- o00i%ia##- de%#ared t"at Nan"ai is in t"e Para%e#s+ more t"an H8: N@ 0rom S%ar1orou2". 7ost in trans#ation Anot"er $re$osterous C"inese %#aim is t"at C"ina&s sout"ernmost territor- is James S"oa#+ >: N@ 0rom t"e %oast o0 Bintu#u+ Sara'a8+ @a#a-sia. James S"oa# is a 0u##- su1mer2ed ree0+ 66 meters under 'ater+ entire#- 'it"in @a#a-sia&s 6:: N@ EE4 and more t"an 9>: N@ 0rom C"ina. Eo' did t"e 0u##- su1mer2ed James S"oa# 1e%ome C"ina&s sout"ernmost territor-D 7et me Buote a 0as%inatin2 arti%#e on James S"oa# $u1#is"ed on .e1ruar- 9+ 6:1H in t"e Sout" C"ina @ornin2 Post+ 'ritten 1- Bi## Ea-ton+ a 'e##A8no'n Britis" ,ourna#ist Eo' did t"e C"inese state %ome to re2ard t"is o1s%ure 0eature+ so 0ar 0rom "ome+ as its sout"ernmost $ointD IK)e 1een resear%"in2 t"e Buestion 0or some time '"i#e 'ritin2 a 1oo8 on t"e Sout" C"ina Sea. T"e most #i8e#- ans'er seems to 1e t"at it 'as $ro1a1#- t"e resu#t o0 a trans#ation error. In t"e 19H:s+ C"ina 'as en2u#0ed in 'a)es o0 nationa#ist an(iet-. T"e $redation o0 t"e <estern $o'ers and im$eria# Ja$an+ and t"e ina1i#ito0 t"e Re$u1#i% o0 C"ina to do an-t"in2 meanin20u# to sto$ t"em+ %aused an2er 1ot" in t"e streets and t"e %orridors o0 $o'er. In 19HH+ t"e re$u1#i% %reated t"e NIns$e%tion Committee 0or 7and and <ater @a$sN to 0orma##- #ist+ des%ri1e and ma$ e)er- $art o0 C"inese territor-. It 'as an attem$t to assert so)erei2nt- o)er t"e re$u1#i%Ks )ast territor-. T"e ma,or $ro1#em 0a%in2 t"e %ommittee+ at #east in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea+ 'as t"at it "ad no means o0 a%tua##- sur)e-in2 an- o0 t"e 0eatures it 'anted to %#aim. Instead+ t"e %ommittee sim$#- %o$ied t"e e(istin2 Britis" %"arts and %"an2ed t"e names o0 t"e is#ands to ma8e t"em sound C"inese. <e 8no' t"e- did t"is 1e%ause t"e %ommitteeKs ma$ in%#uded a1out 6: mista8es t"at a$$eared on t"e Britis" ma$ A 0eatures t"at in #ater+ 1etter sur)e-s 'ere 0ound not to a%tua##- e(ist. T"e %ommittee 2a)e some o0 t"e S$rat#- is#ands C"inese names. Nort" Jan2er Ree0 1e%ame Bei(ian 3t"e C"inese trans#ation o0 Nnort" dan2erN5+ Ante#o$e Ree0 1e%ame 7in2-an2 3t"e C"inese 'ord 0or ante#o$e5. Ot"er names 'ere ,ust trans#iterated so+ 0or e(am$#e+ S$rat#- Is#and 1e%ame Si$u#ate#i and James S"oa# 1e%ame 4en2mu. And t"is seems to 1e '"ere t"e mista8es %re$t in. But "o' to trans#ate Ns"oa#ND ItKs a nauti%a# 'ord meanin2 an area o0 s"a##o' sea '"ere 'a)es Ns"oa#N u$. Sai#ors 'ou#d see a stran2e area o0 %"o$$- 'ater in t"e midd#e o0 t"e o%ean and 8no' t"e area 'as s"a##o' and t"ere0ore dan2erous. James S"oa# is one o0 man- simi#ar 0eatures in t"e S$rat#-s.

But t"e %ommittee didnKt seem to understand t"is o1s%ure En2#is" term 1e%ause t"e- trans#ated Ns"oa#N as N tanN A t"e C"inese 'ord 0or 1ea%" or sand1an8 A a 0eature '"i%" is usua##- a1o)e 'ater. T"e %ommittee+ ne)er "a)in2 )isited t"e area+ seems to "a)e de%#ared James S"oa#O4en2mu Tan to 1e a $ie%e o0 #and and t"ere0ore a $ie%e o0 C"ina. A$$arent#-+ C"inese #eaders and %arto2ra$"ers %#aimed James S"oa# as C"ina&s sout"ernmost territor- e)en 'it"out seein2 James S"oa#. Certain#-+ no C"inese %ou#d "a)e 2one as"ore to !)isit/ James S"oa#. James S"oa# is t"e on#- nationa# 1order in t"e 'or#d t"at is 0u##su1mer2ed and 1e-ond t"e territoria# sea o0 t"e %#aimant state. Toda-+ '"en C"inese na)a# )esse#s )isit James S"oa#+ t"e- 'ou#d o%%asiona##- dro$ to t"e 1ottom o0 James S"oa# %ement and stee# mar8ers to desi2nate C"ina&s sout"ernmost territor-. O0 %ourse+ t"is is 1#atant#- %ontrar- to UNC7OS+ '"i%" $ro"i1its an- state 0rom a$$ro$riatin2 su1mer2ed 0eatures 1e-ond its territoria# sea. Not e)en @a#a-sia+ '"ose %oast#ine is ,ust >: N@ a'a-+ %an %#aim James S"oa# as its so)erei2n territor-. Bi## Ea-ton&s a%%ount o0 "o' James S"oa# 1e%ame C"ina&s sout"ernmost territor- 2i)es us an idea "o' du1ious are C"ina&s !"istori%a# 0a%ts/ under its soA%a##ed 9Adas"ed #ine %#aim. C"ina&s o00i%ia# $ro%#amation in 198: t"at Nan"ai is#and is in t"e Para%e#s a#so e($oses C"ina&s 0a#se %#aim to an- "istori%a# #in8 to S%ar1orou2" S"oa#. Indeed+ a## C"inese o00i%ia# ma$s durin2 t"e Yuan+ @in2 and Pin2 J-nasties $#a%ed t"e sout"ernmost 1order o0 C"ina at Eainan Is#and. T"e 0amous 17t" %entur- Pin2 J-nast- Ian2(i ma$s+ $re$ared 1- t"e Jesuit missionaries '"o 1e%ame ad)isers to Em$eror Ian2(i+ $#a%ed Eainan Is#and as t"e sout"ernmost 1order o0 C"ina. None o0 t"e C"inese d-nast- ma$s e)er mentioned t"e Para%e#s+ t"e S$rat#-s+ S%ar1orou2" S"oa#+ t"e 9Adas"ed #ines or t"e UAs"a$ed #ines. Guan2don2 $ro)in%e o0 C"ina 0irst %#aimed t"e Para%e#s in 19:9. C"ina itse#0 %#aimed t"e Para%e#s on#- in 19H6 and t"e S$rat#-s on#- in 19F= a0ter <or#d <ar II. In t"e 19>1 San .ran%is%o Pea%e Con0eren%e t"at $rodu%ed t"e Pea%e Treat- o0 San .ran%is%o+ t"e )i%torious a##ies re,e%ted 1- a )ote o0 F8 states to H states 3on#- t"e So)iet Union+ Po#and and C*e%"os#o)a8ia dissented5 to turn o)er $ossession o0 t"e Para%e#s and S$rat#-s to C"ina as demanded 1- t"e So)iet Union on 1e"a#0 o0 C"ina. As #ate as in 19H6+ C"ina "as 1een te##in2 t"e 'or#d t"at its sout"ernmost 1order 'as Eainan Is#and. In a Note 9er1a#e to t"e .ren%" Go)ernment on Se$tem1er 69+ 19H6 $rotestin2 t"e .ren%" o%%u$ation o0 t"e Para%e#s+ t"e C"inese Go)ernment o00i%ia##de%#ared Note o0 69 Se$tem1er 19H6 0rom t"e 7e2ation o0 t"e C"inese Re$u1#i% in .ran%e to t"e @inistr- o0 .orei2n A00airs+ Paris On t"e instru%tions o0 its Go)ernment+ t"e 7e2ation o0 t"e C"inese Re$u1#i% in .ran%e "as t"e "onor to transmit its Go)ernment&s re$#- to t"e .orei2n @inistr-&s Note o0 F Januar- 19H6 on t"e su1,e%t o0 t"e Para%e# Is#ands. T"e SiAC"aoAC"uinATao Is#ands+ a#so 8no'n as TsiAC"eouAYan2 and %a##ed t"e Para%e# Is#ands in t"e 0orei2n ton2ue+ #ie in t"e territoria# sea o0 I'an2tun2 Pro)in%e 3Sout" C"ina Sea5? t"e nort"east are t"e TonA C"ao Is#ands? t"e SiAC"aoAC"uinATao Is#ands 0orm one 2rou$ amon2 a## t"e is#ands in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea '"i%" are an inte2ra# $art o0 t"e territoria# sea o0 I'an2tun2 Pro)in%e. A%%ordin2 to t"e re$orts on t"e SiAC"aoAC"uinATao 3Para%e#5 Is#ands dra'n u$ in t"e Year L9II o0 t"e C"inese Re$u1#i% 3196=5 1- @r. S"enA Pan2A.ei+ President o0 t"e Commission o0 InBuir- into t"ese is#ands+ and to t"e 0i#es o0 t"ese is#ands %om$i#ed 1- t"e Je$artment o0 Industro0 I'an2tun2 Pro)in%e+ t"e is#ands #ie 1et'een #on2itude 1::M1H& and 116MF7& east. @ore t"an 6: in num1er+ #ar2e and sma##+ most o0 t"em are 1arren sand1an8s+ 1: or so are ro%8s and 8 are true is#ands. T"e eastern 2rou$ is %a##ed t"e Am$"itrites and t"e 'estern 2rou$ t"e Cres%ent. T"ese 2rou$s #ie 1F> nauti%a# mi#es 0rom Eainan Is#and+ and 0orm t"e sout"ernmost $art o0 C"inese territor-.

In s"ort+ in 19H6 t"e C"inese Go)ernment o00i%ia##- de%#ared to t"e 'or#d t"at t"e !sout"ernmost $art o0 C"inese territor-/ or 1order 'as Eainan Is#and+ '"i%" 0or t"e 0irst time a%%ordin2 to t"e C"inese in%#uded t"e Para%e#s. T"is de%#aration %ate2ori%a##- a00irmed t"e $re)ious o00i%ia# ma$s o0 t"e Yuan+ @in2 and Pin2 J-nasties t"at s"o'ed Eainan Is#and as t"e sout"ernmost territor- or 1order o0 C"ina. James S"oa#+ 8:: N@ a'a- 0rom t"e Para%e#s and 9>: N< 0rom Eainan Is#and+ 'as ne)er in C"inese "istor- t"e sout"ernmost territoror 1order o0 C"ina. T"e same is o1)ious#- true 0or S%ar1orou2" S"oa#+ '"i%" is H8: N@ 0rom t"e Para%e#s and >:: N@ 0rom Eainan Is#and. Sin%e Eainan Is#and or e)en t"e Para%e#s are t"e sout"ernmost territor- or 1order o0 C"ina as o00i%ia##- de%#ared 1- C"ina in its Se$tem1er 69+ 19H6 Note 9er1a#e to t"e .ren%" Go)ernment+ t"en S%ar1orou2" S"oa# is not $art o0+ and %ou#d ne)er "a)e 1een $art o0+ C"inese territor-. T"e o#dest ma$ in t"e 'or#d de$i%tin2 S%ar1orou2" S"oa# is t"e @uri##o ma$ t"at 'as 0irst issued in 17HF durin2 t"e S$anis" re2ime. T"e @uri##o ma$+ entit#ed @a$a de #as Is#as .i#i$inas+ 'as made 1- t"e S$anis" $riest .r. Pedro @uri##o. T"e @uri##o ma$ %#ear#- s"o's S%ar1orou2" S"oa#+ at t"at time %a##ed Pana%ot+ #-in2 ,ust a%ross 4am1a#es. Pana%ot 'as t"e name 2i)en 1- .i#i$ino 0is"ermen to S%ar1orou2" S"oa# durin2 t"e S$anis" re2ime. T"e rea# and un)arnis"ed "istori%a# 0a%ts in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea are Buite di00erent 0rom '"at C"ina "as %#aimed t"em to 1e. Jes$ite its name+ '"i%" 'as 2i)en 1- Euro$ean e($#orers and %arto2ra$"ers+ t"e Sout" C"ina Sea 'as ne)er t"e so#e domain o0 C"ina or o0 an- one %ountr-. E)en i0 'e 2o 1a%8 to t"e Sun2 J-nast-+ 'e 0ind t"e ear#.i#i$inos a#read- sai#in2 a%ross t"e Sout" C"ina Sea to trade 'it" t"e C"inese a#on2 t"e %oast o0 Canton in main#and C"ina. A noted C"inese s%"o#ar durin2 t"e Yuan J-nast-+ @a TuanA#in+ 'rote in "is 1oo8 A Genera# In)esti2ation o0 t"e C"inese Cu#tura# Sour%es+ a1out traders 0rom t"e P"i#i$$ines+ '"i%" t"e C"inese at t"at time %a##ed @oA-i or @aAi. @a TuanA#in stated in "is 1oo8+ $u1#is"ed in 1H66 durin2 t"e Yuan J-nast- and re$u1#is"ed in 19H> in S"an2"ai T"ere 'ere traders o0 t"e %ountr- o0 @oA-i %arr-in2 mer%"andise to t"e %oast o0 Canton Q0or sa#eR in t"e se)ent" -ear o0 TaiA$in2As"in2A8uo Qo0 t"e Sun2 J-nast-+ t"at is 986 A.J.R. As ear#- as 986 A.J.+ .i#i$ino traders 'ere a#read- masters o0 t"e Sout" C"ina Sea+ sai#in2 1a%8 and 0ort" 0rom t"e P"i#i$$ines to C"ina to trade+ more t"an F:: -ears 1e0ore t"e C"inese Im$eria# Admira# 4en2 Ee #aun%"ed "is 0amous sea )o-a2es 0rom 1F:> to 1FHH A.J. Joint de)e#o$ment <"- itKs $ro1#emati% C"ina "as 1een dan2#in2 to t"e P"i#i$$ines and ot"er %#aimant states its o00er 0or ,oint de)e#o$ment o0 t"e dis$uted areas '"i#e s"e#)in2 t"e so)erei2nt- issues+ an idea su22ested 1- t"e #ate C"inese $aramount #eader Jen2 Liao$in2. T"ere are at #east t"ree $ro1#ems to t"is o00er. .irst+ C"ina 'ants to ,oint#- de)e#o$ t"e EE4 o0 t"e P"i#i$$ines 1ut re0uses to ,oint#- de)e#o$ C"ina&s o'n EE4. In e00e%t+ C"ina is sa-in2 to t"e P"i#i$$ines+ '"at is e(%#usi)e#- C"ina&s e%onomi% *one is C"ina&s a#one+ 1ut '"at is e(%#usi)e#- t"e P"i#i$$ines& e%onomi% *one 1e#on2s to 1ot" C"ina and t"e P"i#i$$ines+ and i0 t"e P"i#i$$ines does not a2ree+ C"ina&s 'ars"i$s 'i## 1e t"ere to $re)ent t"e P"i#i$$ines 0rom e($#oitin2 its e(%#usi)e e%onomi% *one. Se%ond+ as e($#ained 1- C"inese o00i%ia#s and s%"o#ars+ C"ina&s o00er o0 ,oint de)e#o$ment is su1,e%t to t"e $re%ondition t"at $arti%i$atin2 %oasta# states must 0irst e($ress#- re%o2ni*e C"ina&s !indis$uta1#e so)erei2nt-/ under its 9Adas"ed #ine %#aim. T"is $re%ondition e00e%ti)e#means t"at on%e a state a2rees to ,oint de)e#o$ment+ it must not on#)a%ate an- is#and it $ossesses in t"e S$rat#-s and turn o)er t"e same to C"ina+ it must a#so renoun%e an- maritime %#aim 'it"in t"e 9Adas"ed #ine area. T"is $re%ondition demanded 1- C"ina is o1)ious#in%onsistent 'it" its o00er to s"e#)e t"e so)erei2nt- issue. T"ird+ i0 t"e P"i#i$$ines a2rees to C"ina&s ,oint de)e#o$ment o00er+ t"e P"i#i$$ines 'i## in e00e%t 2i)e u$ its e(%#usi)e !so)erei2n ri2"ts/ to

e($#oit a## t"e #i)in2 and nonA#i)in2 resour%es in its o'n EE4. T"e P"i#i$$ines 'i## a#so 2i)e u$ its e(%#usi)e ri2"t to e($#oit t"e minera# resour%es in its o'n ECS. T"e 1ottom #ine is t"at C"ina&s ,oint de)e#o$ment o00er 'i## ne2ate t"e maritime entit#ements o0 t"e P"i#i$$ines under UNC7OS. T"is is %onstitutiona##- im$ermissi1#e 1e%ause our 1987 Constitution mandates t"e State to !$rote%t t"e nation&s marine 'ea#t" in its ((( e(%#usi)e e%onomi% *one+ and reser)e its use and en,o-ment e(%#usi)e#- to .i#i$ino %iti*ens./ An- ,oint de)e#o$ment 'it" C"ina %onstitutes a !%u#$a1#e )io#ation o0 t"e Constitution./ O0 %ourse+ t"e 0a%t t"at t"e use and en,o-ment o0 our EE4 is reser)ed e(%#usi)e#- to .i#i$ino %iti*ens does not mean t"at C"inese %om$anies %annot $arti%i$ate in t"e e($#oitation o0 oi# and 2as in our EE4. T"e%an 1ut as te%"ni%a# and 0inan%ia# %ontra%tors o0 t"e P"i#i$$ine Go)ernment or .i#i$ino %om$anies under P"i#i$$ine #a'+ not C"inese #a'. As su%" te%"ni%a# %ontra%tors and 0inan%ia# %ontra%tors+ t"e- ma1e $aid in 8ind. T"is is a%tua##- t"e setAu$ in @a#am$a-a '"ere S"e## is t"e te%"ni%a# and 0inan%ia# %ontra%tor o0 t"e P"i#i$$ine Go)ernment under P"i#i$$ine #a'. Not one o0 t"e %#aimant states to t"e S$rat#-s "as a%%e$ted C"ina&s ,oint de)e#o$ment o00er. A%%e$tan%e o0 C"ina&s ,oint de)e#o$ment o00er means a %om$#ete surrender to C"ina&s out#andis" !indis$uta1#e so)erei2nt-/ %#aims. In an arti%#e in T"e Ji$#omat dated .e1ruar- 68+ 6:1F+ Pro0. Car# T"a-er+ a 'e##A8no'n re2iona# se%urit- ana#-st+ Buoted "o' a @a#a-sian de0ense o00i%ia# )ie'ed C"ina&s ,oint de)e#o$ment o00er Nor are 'e read- to %onsider ,oint de)e#o$ment a%ti)ities 'it" t"e C"inese. T"at 'ou#d reBuire re%o2nition o0 C"ina&s %#aims in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea+ in%#udin2 our EE4. And t"at&s not our $o#i%-. 9ietnam "as a simi#ar )ie' o0 C"ina&s ,oint de)e#o$ment o00er. Jr. Tran Truon2 Tu-+ Jire%tor o0 t"e Centre 0or Sout" C"ina Sea Studies at t"e Ji$#omati% A%adem- o0 9ietnam+ inter$rets t"e C"inese o00er as sa-in2 !<"at is mine is mine+ '"at is -ours is mine and 'e are 'i##in2 to s"are./ T"e 'or#d is no' 0ami#iar 'it" t"e e($ansionist desi2ns o0 C"ina in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea. C"ina&s %ree$in2 in)asion o0 t"e is#ands+ ro%8s and ree0s+ as 'e## as o0 t"e 'aters+ o0 t"e Sout" C"ina Sea 2ro's in 0or%e and a22ressi)eness ea%" da- as C"ina&s na)a# 0or%es assume 2reater su$eriorit- o)er t"ose o0 ot"er %oasta# states. T"e P"i#i$$ines is $arti%u#ar#- )u#nera1#e to C"inese 1u##-in2 1e%ause t"e P"i#i$$ines "as t"e 'ea8est na)- amon2 a## t"e ma,or dis$utant states in t"e Sout" C"ina Sea. T"e P"i#i$$ines #ost @is%"ie0 Ree0 in 199> and S%ar1orou2" S"oa# in 6:16 to C"inese in)asion. 9ietnam #ost t"e Para%e#s in 197F and .ierRee0 Cross in 1988 to C"inese in)asion. C"ina+ as I s$ea8+ t"reatens to 0or%i1#- e)i%t t"e "and0u# o0 P"i#i$$ine marines a1oard t"e s"i$'re%8ed RPS Sierra @adre in A-un2in Ree0+ an 7TE 'it"in t"e P"i#i$$ines& EE4 in t"e S$rat#-s. T"e C"inese in)asion and o%%u$ation o0 t"ese is#ands+ ro%8s and 7TEs are a%ts o0 armed a22ression out#a'ed 1- t"e United Nations C"arter. Jen2Ks %ommitment T"e 'or#d s"ou#d no' remind C"ina o0 Jen2 Liao$in2&s so#emn %ommitment to t"e 'or#d '"en "e de%#ared in "is s$ee%" 1e0ore t"e United Nations Genera# Assem1#- on A$ri# 1:+ 197F A su$er$o'er is an im$eria#ist %ountr- '"i%" e)er-'"ere su1,e%ts ot"er %ountries to its a22ression+ inter0eren%e+ %ontro#+ su1)ersion or $#under and stri)es 0or 'or#d "e2emon-. ((( I0 one da- C"ina s"ou#d %"an2e "er %o#or and turn into a su$er$o'er+ i0 s"e too 'ou#d $#a- t"e t-rant in t"e 'or#d+ and e)er-'"ere su1,e%t ot"ers to "er 1u##-in2+ a22ression and e($#oitation+ t"e $eo$#e o0 t"e 'or#d s"ou#d identi0- "er as so%ia#Aim$eria#ist+ e($ose it+ o$$ose it and 'or8 'it" t"e C"inese $eo$#e to o)ert"ro' it. C"ina&s ru#ers toda- "a)e trans0ormed C"ina into t"e im$eria#isti% "e2emon t"at Jen2 as8ed t"e C"inese $eo$#e and t"e 'or#d to 0i2"t and o)ert"ro' s"ou#d C"ina&s ru#ers in t"e 0uture de)iate 0rom "is )ision o0 a $ea%e0u# and #a'Aa1idin2 C"ina. Jen2 "ad re$eated#-

$romised t"e 'or#d t"at C"ina 'ou#d !ne)er see8 "e2emon-./ Sad#- 0or Jen2+ and sad#- 0or t"e rest o0 t"e 'or#d+ es$e%ia##- 0or t"e P"i#i$$ines+ t"at da- "as %ome. I end 1- a00irmin2 t"at t"is e(er%ise o0 $ursuin2 t"e ar1itration %ase a2ainst C"ina is to reser)e t"e use and en,o-ment o0 our marine 'ea#t" in our EE4 e(%#usi)e#- to .i#i$inos+ as mandated 1- t"e Constitution+ '"i%" 'e "a)e a## s'orn to u$"o#d. A Ra$$#er.%om