Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he will send former president Fidel Ramos to China for talks after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague issued a ruling on the case brought by the Philippines against China’s nine-dash line claims in the East Sea.

Addressing a meeting at San Beda college on July 14, Duterte said war is not an option and he wants to pursue peaceful solutions.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

He added he has to consult many people, including former president Ramos, and asked the former president to go to China to start the talks. But Duterte did not specify a timeframe.

Ramos, who served as president from 1992 to 1998, acknowledged the decision, but the 88-year-old ex-leader did not say if he could accept the request.

According to the PCA ruling on July 12, China’s claims to historic rights over sea areas falling within the nine-dash line are contrary to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

China does not have historic rights over waters in the East Sea and any legal basis to announce statements on historic rights over natural resources within the nine-dash line.

According to the PCA, no islands in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago entitle China a right to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and China does not have rights over the 200-nautical mile EEZs of Vanh Khan (Mischief) and Co May (Thomas) reefs.

The tribunal also affirmed that the Ba Binh (Itu Aba) feature in Truong Sa is a rock and therefore has no EEZ.

It said Beijing has caused long-term and irreparable harm to the coral ecosystem in Truong Sa archipelago.

The PCA ruling also stressed that China has interfered with the traditional fishing rights of the Philippines in Scaborough Shoal, highlighting that China’s actions have worsen disputes between the country and the Philippines when efforts have been made to resolve the disputes.

Kyodo news reported that the Chinese coast guard barred Filipino fishermen from entering Scarborough Shoal on July 14, despite the PCA’s ruling.

According to the news agency, one ship trailed the fishermen, while another one blocked the entrance of the shoal. Then two speed boats approached and encircled them.

(Source: VNA)