The Philippines has formally rejected China’s claim of sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, countering a statement from the Chinese embassy suggesting a former Filipino diplomat had conceded that Scarborough Shoal was not Philippine territory. “China must be reminded that maritime and territorial claims are subject to established international legal procedures and dispute settlement mechanisms, not through unilateral proclamations or social media posts,” said Rogelio Villanueva, spokesperson for the Philippine foreign ministry, during a briefing in Manila. Villanueva emphasized that the Philippines holds “indivisible, incontrovertible and longstanding sovereignty” over Scarborough Shoal and the islands Manila controls in the Spratly archipelago. The remarks come amid an ongoing diplomatic exchange following a weekend post from the Chinese embassy that referenced comments from a former Philippine ambassador to a German radio station.

Full report : Philippines Rejects Beijing’s Claim to Sovereignty Over Entire South China Sea.