Philippines Responds Strongly to China's Note at Seoul Defense Dialogue
At a security forum in South Korea, Philippine Defense Minister Teodoro read a note sent by a Chinese official from the podium, responding point by point to Beijing's claims.
During the Seoul Defense Dialogue hosted by South Korea, Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro read aloud a note handed to him by the Chinese Embassy and responded harshly during his speech.
Unexpected Incident at the Forum in Seoul
A notable diplomatic tension occurred between China and Philippines at the Seoul Defense Dialogue, South Korea's flagship multilateral security forum.
Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto C. Teodoro was unexpectedly handed a note by a military attache from the Chinese Embassy while speaking at the podium.
Content of the Chinese Note and Reaction
The note reiterated Beijing's position in the South China Sea and challenged the 2016 arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines.
Pausing his speech, Minister Teodoro read the note handed to him line by line, providing a direct and immediate response to China's claims.
International Law and the 2016 Ruling Debate
While the note claimed that the 2016 arbitration ruling violated international law, Teodoro responded by asking, 'So you are saying that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea violates international law?'
He reacted to China's stance of neither accepting nor recognizing the ruling by saying in the hall, 'Of course, because you lost.'
Support and Criticism from the Hall
Waving the piece of paper in the air, Teodoro described this attitude by China as a desperate and ineffective stance.
Accusing Beijing of lacking basic courtesy and showing disrespect for international law, the Philippine minister received applause from the participants in the hall.