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Philippines Defense Chief rebukes China after note incident in Seoul
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. publicly rebuked China during the Seoul Defense Dialogue after a Chinese military attaché reportedly passed a handwritten note to him during his speech. Teodoro read the note aloud, which asserted that the 2016 arbitral ruling regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea was illegal, null, and void. Teodoro responded by stating, “Of course, because you lost,” and characterized the gesture as an act of “coercion, bullying, and aggression.”
In response to the incident, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated she was not exactly sure of the details but reaffirmed Beijing’s position that the arbitration is invalid. She accused the Philippines of seeking attention and creating problems.
Amidst these escalating tensions, Philippine authorities reported increased Chinese naval and coast guard activity in the West Philippine Sea, including an incident where a Chinese fighter aircraft intercepted a Philippine patrol aircraft near Bajo de Masinloc. Consequently, Manila has suspended talks regarding joint energy exploration with China. To strengthen national deterrence, a Philippine Senate committee has also approved a proposed visiting forces agreement with France.
Entities
China · Department of National Defense · Gilberto Teodoro Jr. · Mao Ning · Philippines · Seoul Defense Dialogue · United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Chinese fighter aircraft intercepted a Philippine patrol aircraft near Bajo de Masinloc. imoa.ph
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Philippines has suspended talks regarding joint energy exploration with China. imoa.ph
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated she was not exactly sure what occurred during the event. www.agcnews.eu · ptvnews.ph · oconvergente.com.br
- [● 9 SOURCES] The note handed to him during the Seoul Defense Dialogue was an act of coercion, bullying, and aggression. rollingstonephilippines.com · imoa.ph · www.agcnews.eu · www.chiangraitimes.com · mediaindonesia.com · +4 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The 2016 arbitral ruling is illegal, null, and void, violating fundamental principles of international law. www.agcnews.eu · www.chiangraitimes.com · ptvnews.ph · imoa.ph · oconvergente.com.br · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Defense Secretary Teodoro stated that expanding defense partnerships would strengthen Philippine deterrence. globalnation.inquirer.net
- [● 8 SOURCES] The note stated that China does not accept or recognize the 2016 arbitral ruling. ptvnews.ph · oconvergente.com.br · imoa.ph · www.agcnews.eu · www.chiangraitimes.com · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A Philippine Senate committee approved a proposed visiting forces agreement with France. globalnation.inquirer.net