There’s been a rising song in the midst of the incident, particularly within the Philippines, for the US to show its ability to be a credible agreement ally, said Dr Koh.
” Some of them hoped that the US would offer more substantial support, including military actions against China. Not always to use force against China, but to demonstrate much more than just joint exercises. So because of that, I think the US has been coming under force”.
Washington is equally aware that if the Philippines pushes its say to the extended continental shelf, there is a real chance of China, according to observers.
” For the Chinese government, for a walk is an illegal issue to its broad nine-dash range on a supposed traditional basis”, said Dr Wong from the Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs.
Dr. Koh cited rumors that China was using the Jun 17 incident to show its anger toward the Philippines. It was noted that it occurred just two weeks after Manila submitted its UN say.
” So this is a difficult topic for the US because, on the one hand, you have to support this legal endeavor as a trustworthy ally. At the same time, you have to manage the situation.
” This is a really complicated, rectangular relationship between the US, Philippines and China.”
Barriers TO THE PHILIPPINES ‘ Say
Despite all of this, maritime law experts point out that the UN is unlikely to practice the Philippines ‘ extended continental shelf obedience, let alone to take the claim seriously.
The issue is that there are nations that have asked for the UN to refrain from doing so, in this case, China and Malaysia.
The UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which regulates these things, is unlikely to recommend the parameters the Philippines is seeking because the CLCS does not make suggestions about proposals that problem disputed regions, said Dr. Schultheiss.
He explained that while the Philippines might be able to create a case against China’s criticism by citing the 2016 mediation decision, Malaysia’s opposition complicates things as its rejection is due to Manila’s say being” projected using standards from Malaysia’s Sabah”.
According to Dr. Schultheiss,” The Philippines ‘ surrender can therefore be interpreted as the Philippines upholding its say to regional autonomy over Sabah.”
Hence, it is unlikely that the CLCS will take the issue of whether the judicial award of 2016 might possibly open the door for the Philippines to take the extended continental shelf submission into consideration.
This is an illustration of how unresolved issues between two ASEAN people impede their interactions with China in the South China Sea.