29 February 2016

This is in response to Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s negative statements on the Philippines. We note that Foreign Minister Wang said that China is a member of the international community and that it abides by international law. We have had countless meetings with China to try to address the issue between the two of us to no avail. We have invited China many times to join us in arbitration as early as 2012, again to no avail. As we presume to be responsible states, the Philippines, as well as the international community, are asking China to respect the forthcoming ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal and together advance an international rules-based regime. If China does not heed our collective call, does it mean that China considers itself above the law? END