China’s rule allowing the detention of foreigners believed to have trespassed what it claims to be its borders is inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday. Speaking to reporters in Taguig City, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo refuted the claim that Filipinos maliciously misinterpreted the new Chinese regulation, which was reportedly adopted on May 15. “(China) announced it, it was quite clear so, I mean, what’s malicious (about) it?” Manalo said.

Romero, A., & Punongbayan, M. (2024, May 22). DFA: China’s rule on trespassing foreigners inconsistent with UNCLOS. The Philippine Star, p. 2