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In his address to the plenary session of the 37th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on Thursday, Duterte said that the arbitration award was an authoritative interpretation of the application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. or Unclos.
“Now it is part of international law. And its importance cannot be diminished or ignored by any country, no matter how great and powerful it may be ”, he emphasized.
Last September, Duterte invoked the arbitration ruling against China in his speech to the United Nations, saying the country would reject attempts to undermine the ruling, which overturned China’s extensive maritime claim in the South China Sea.
Duterte said that disputes in relation to the South China Sea should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law.
“As I have said before, the South China Sea problem is Asean’s strategic challenge. The way we approach this issue reveals our strengths and weaknesses as a Community. We must act quickly, ”he said.
“The position of the Philippines is clear and firm. We must resolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS, ”he added.
Duterte called for the immediate conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which is a set of regional norms and rules to avoid conflict in disputed waters.
“The Philippines is one with ASEAN in transforming the South China Sea into a sea of peace and prosperity for all.”
“We are committed to the immediate conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. And if I may add, it’s been a long time and it’s a long wait, ”Duterte said.
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