Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, center, is given a thumbs-up sign by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, left, while House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte looks on, after he delivers his third State of the Nation address Monday July 23, 2012.
Philippines Slams China's Establishment of Sansha City in South China Sea
Philippine President Benigno Aquino says his country will not back down in a territorial dispute with China.
Aquino made the statement Monday in his annual state of the union address, reacting to China's establishment on Sunday of Sansha city across several disputed islands of the South China Sea. China refers to the islands as Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha.
Beijing’s planned deployment of a military garrison to Sansha brought a swift response from President Aquino. He said, “If someone entered your yard and told you he owned it, would you agree? Would it be right to give away that which is rightfully ours?"
Protesters hold banners while chanting slogans during an anti-China protest along a street in Hanoi, July 22, 2012.
Vietnam has also criticized the establishment of Sansha, calling it "serious violation" of Hanoi's sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly chains, which it claims as part of Danang city and Khanh Hoa province respectively.
The territories under dispute are also claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
China’s most recent deployment to the islands was the latest move in an altercation that flared up in April between Chinese and Philippine ships near Scarborough Shoal.
President Aquino’s remarks came in the middle of his state of the nation address announcing economic reforms achieved since former President Gloria Arroyo’s corruption-laden administration, while highlighting the strengthening of the Philippine military.
In addition to the $30 million provided by Washington to help create a national coast watch center, Aquino mentioned the anticipated arrival of more than 40 military aircraft to be delivered over the next two years to augment the country’s strategic defense.
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