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Statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo on the 6th Anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration

12 July 2022

Today we commemorate the 6th anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration. More than a historic milestone whose value lies in its commemorative significance, we recall 12 July 2016 as the day that affirmed to the community of nations that the rule of law prevails, and that stability, peace and progress can only be attained when founded on a rules-based legal order on the oceans, as it should be everywhere else. 

The Award and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are the twin anchors of the Philippines’ policy and actions on the West Philippine Sea. 

The year 2022 is also the 40th anniversary of the adoption of UNCLOS. UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. There is no recourse to general international law on matters comprehensively covered by the UNCLOS. Compliance with UNCLOS, which represents a delicate balance of the rights and obligations of all States Parties, in its entirety is key to ensuring global and regional peace and the fair and sustainable use of the oceans. 

The Award, an affirmation of UNCLOS’ dispute resolution mechanisms, not only sets reason and right in the South China Sea, but is an inspiration for how matters should be considered – through reason and right – by states facing similarly challenging circumstances. 

It authoritatively ruled that the claim of historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’ had no basis in law and is without legal effect. 

It upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone. 

It affirmed that certain actions within the Philippines’ EEZ violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights and were thus unlawful; that large-scale reclamation and construction of artificial islands caused severe environmental harm in violation of international conventions; that the large-scale harvesting of endangered marine species damaged the marine ecosystem; and that actions taken since the commencement of the arbitration had aggravated the disputes. 

These findings are no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal, and are conclusive as they are indisputable. The Award is final. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories. At the same time, we welcome the support of a growing list of countries for the Award. 

The Award benefits the world across the board. We do not see it as directed at any other country, near or far. We see it as it should be seen: as favoring all which are similarly situated by clarifying definitively a legal situation beyond the reach of arms to change. It puts this aspect of international law beyond the limit of prescription. 

And so we say once again: the present that we need and the future that we want is a peaceful South China Sea. The Philippines is committed to this for as long as it exists. END

Source: https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/30865-statement-of-foreign-affairs-secretary-enrique-a-manalo-on-the-6th-anniversary-of-the-award-on-the-south-china-sea-arbitration

AntGroup

SHANGHAI, 7 July 2022 – Officials of Chinese financial technology (fintech) giant Ant Group Co. Ltd. visited the Consulate General on 5 July to outline its business ventures and philanthropic activities in the Philippines, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

A subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, the Ant Group develops and owns online payment platforms, most notably Alipay, currently the world’s largest such service. The company also actively supports the digital transformation of the service industry, with focus on supporting access by consumers and MSMEs to finance, technology and other services.

Mr. Jason PAU and Mr. ZHĀNG Yīnfān, Senior Director and Director, respectively, for International Public Policy and Government Affairs, were received by Consul General Josel F. Ignacio and PTIC-Shanghai head Vice Consul Mario C. Tani.

Ant reported on its four-year-old “10x1000 Tech for Inclusion” program with the International Finance Corporation. The program, which trains 1,000 emerging market digital technology leaders and talents yearly, counts 126 Filipino among its alumni to date.

Ant provided an overview of its support for Philippine startups. The company has a stake in fintech company Mynt, owner of GCash and the country’s first unicorn. It also has a partnership with FinTech Alliance.ph to advance digital skills, commerce and services.

CG Ignacio thanked Ant for its “well placed confidence in the Philippines” with its fast expanding e-commerce landscape, deep pool of talent, and supportive government policies. E-commerce is targeted to contribute up to 11.4% of GDP by 2022 and 26% by 2030.

VC Tani briefed Ant, in turn, on the startup and innovation ecosystem in the Philippines. He assured Ant of support in linking up with PH e-commerce policymakers in PH. Both sides committed to continued consultations and exchanges. END

 

DImatulac Valencia

vouchers1

Shanghai, 16 June – As recovery assistance for OFWs most affected by the two-month total lockdown in Shanghai, the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) began distribution on 14 June of grocery vouchers to Filipinos who registered for such aid.

Verified members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) each received grocery vouchers worth RMB 1,334 (USD 200). Meanwhile, non-OWWA members each received vouchers worth RMB 700 under Welfare Assistance extended by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Over 400 beneficiaries have claimed their vouchers, to date. Consul General Josel F. Ignacio and other PCG officials were on hand to greet and assist recipients. Many of the beneficiaries expressed their sincere appreciation to OWWA, DFA and PCG for this assistance.

vouchers2Registered beneficiaries may claim their cards at the PCG daily, including weekends, for the entire month of June. From July onwards, the cards may be claimed during regular office hours. The list of beneficiaries is available online at the PCG’s website (shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph).

The voucher distribution represents the latest lockdown-related assistance to Filipinos in the city. On 7-9 May and again on 22-24 May, the PCG arranged the delivery of emergency food packs to 247 and 288 Filipinos, respectively.

Shanghai went on partial lockdown on 28 March, and entered full lockdown on 1 April in response to a COVID-19 surge. After clearing communities of cases and putting transmissions under control, city authorities restored the movement of people, transportation and limited business operations on 1 June. END

DF2020