Six states claim ownership over several parts of the South China Sea, but at the moment China controls the vast majority of the territory. The US is actively trying to contest Beijing's dominance in the region by sending military ships, sparking concerns that such moves could cause a conflict.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has called on China to actively participate in the development of a code of conduct for operations in the disputed waters of the South China Sea warning that “the longer it takes” the greater the chances that the region will become a “flashpoint of troubles”. Duterte further noted that the US, UK, and France are already “testing the waters”, threatening the fragile balance.
The Philippine president also reiterated his earlier statements that he and his country are not in power to affect China's behaviour at sea, but at the same time added that he is “sad and bewildered” by Beijing's actions. He also questioned the rightfulness of the Asian country's claims to the territory, disputed by five other states.
“I love China… but it behoves upon us to ask, ‘is it right for a country to claim the whole ocean?'” Duterte said.
Duterte is often criticised in his country over allegedly backtracking after pressure from China following a major victory at the international maritime tribunal, which ruled Beijing's claims to islands that the Philippines dispute as ungrounded. However, in April the Philippine president warned China against hostile actions…
