Statement of the DFA Spokesperson on the Chinese Embassy Spokesperson’s Remarks Regarding Pag-asa Island and the Pag-asa Cays

MANILA 29 May 2025 — The Department of Foreign Affairs rejects and refutes the recent statements of the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Manila regarding Pag-asa Island and the Pag-asa Cays, and the activities of Philippine authorities in the area.

The fundamental fact is that Pag-asa Island and the Pag-asa Cays form part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), which is an integral part of the Philippines over which it has longstanding sovereignty and jurisdiction. The Philippines is clearly within its rights to conduct routine maritime operations and scientific research in and around these features, and will continue to do so.

The actions of Philippine authorities in the area are a valid exercise of Philippine sovereignty and consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, as well as the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).  China has no right to object, much less interfere with these lawful and routine activities.

We urge China to respect the Philippines’ sovereignty and jurisdiction, even as we continue to pursue peaceful and legal means to manage differences and the situation at sea. END