tirsdag 28. juli 2020

Duterte Says Philippines Powerless Over South China Sea Rights

President Rodrigo Duterte told Congress on Monday he had no power to enforce the Philippines' ownership of territories claimed by China in the South China Sea.Duterte made the statement during the annual State of the Nation Address, just two weeks after his foreign and defense departments backed a position by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accusing China of bullying Southeast Asian countries.

Duterte said the nation could not afford to go to war over South China Sea territories. “I am powerless there. I’m willing to admit it,” he said, suggesting that the conflicts were better treated as “diplomatic endeavors.” “China is claiming it, we are claiming it. China has the arms, we do not have it. So, it’s simple as that. They are in possession of the property… So what can we do? We have to go to war. And I cannot afford it. Maybe some other president can. But I cannot.”