ChineseEmbassyManila@Chinaembmanila
Remarks of the Deputy Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy Guo Wei on Jay Tarriela’s Unfounded Statements on the South China Sea
Q: On March 13, Philippine Coast Guard officer Jay Tarriela continued to blame China for tensions in the South China Sea while advocating his “transparency initiative”. What is the comment from the embassy?
A: Jay Tarriela is prone to twisting others’ positions, stubbornly extreme in his views, and utterly unconstructive. Don’t be fooled. Let me point out his faults one by one.
First, China’s position on the South China Sea is clear and consistent. China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) and its surrounding waters, supported by historical and legal evidence. The Philippines’ illegal occupation of some islands and reefs in the Nansha Qundao (the Spratly Islands) since the 1970s is the root cause of the dispute. Differences should be resolved through negotiation and consultation, not by unilaterally insisting on one’s own position. Do you really not understand, or are you just being unreasonable?
Second, Jay Tarriela stubbornly clings to his wrong views and can only be embarrassed when confronted with the facts. Historical and legal evidence shows that the Philippines once clearly acknowledged that HUANGYAN DAO (the Scarborough Shoal) IS NOT A PHILIPPINE TERRITORY. On 5 February 1990, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Bienvenido A. Tan, Jr. wrote to German HAM radio operator Dieter Löffler: “According to the Philippine National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the Scarborough Reef or Huangyan Dao does not fall within the territorial sovereignty of the Philippines.” One cannot help but ask: how many of Tarriela’s other views cannot withstand scrutiny by the facts?
Third, China reiterates that the so-called SCS arbitral award is illegal, null and void. The Philippines unilaterally initiated arbitration without China’s consent, violating international law, including UNCLOS and the DOC. The tribunal exceeded its mandate and issued an illegitimate ruling. China neither accepts nor recognizes the award and will never accept claims or actions based on it. The award does not affect China’s territorial sovereignty or maritime rights. Attempts to glorify it cannot resolve disputes or legitimize the Philippines’ claims.
Fourth, transparency is supposed to be a good thing, but Jay Tarriela has completely abused it. Time and again, he encourages Philippine vessels to enter sensitive waters and provoke incidents, deliberately “staging” confrontations, pretending to be attacked, and filming it all to stir up attention. This is plainly wrong. At its core, it creates trouble, fans public hostility, and sabotages diplomatic efforts. Such behavior deserves sharp criticism.
Fifth, China and the Philippines have restored bilateral political dialogue after more than a year’s suspension, holding two rounds of talks under the agreed roadmap. China notes that DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro recently affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to keeping the South China Sea a sea of peace, stability, and cooperation. Yet Jay Tarriela and others persist in groundless attacks, attempting to hijack Philippine foreign policy and stir up tensions. This is despicable. Stop your false, twisted, manipulative, misleading, and provocative narratives.
