Philippine Defense Chief Accuses China of Bullying and Aggression in South China Sea Dispute
Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr. publicly accused China of "bullying" and "aggression" during a defense forum in Seoul. The accusation came after Teodoro was handed a note, purportedly from China, while on stage, which reiterated China's rejection of the 2016 international arbitration ruling on the South China Sea. Teodoro read the note aloud, which stated that China's position on the arbitration is "clear, consistent, and firm" and that the arbitration "violates fundamental principles of international law." He then criticized the note as disrespectful to international law, the forum, and the audience, calling it an act of "coercion, bullying, and aggression." China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, when asked about the incident, stated she was unfamiliar with the specific situation but reiterated China's consistent stance on the South China Sea arbitration case, urging the Philippines to cease "stirring up trouble" and undermining bilateral relations.
