China said it fully respects the Philippines’ rights over the continental shelf in the Benham Rise located northeast of Luzon and vowed not to challenge those rights. This statement was issued after the Philippines sought clarification, through a Note Verbale sent to the Chinese Embassy in Manila, on the reported presence and visit of a Chinese survey ship in Benham Rise, a seismically active undersea region and extinct volcanic ridge located in the Philippine Sea approximately 250 kilometers east of the northern coastline of Dinapigue, Isabela. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said China is technically right when it said that Benham Rise is not Philippine territory. But they are all in agreement that the country has rights over the resources of the area.

Mabasa, R. C., Wakefield, F. T., Rosario, B. R., & Aben, E. L. (2017, March 16). China respects PH rights: Survey mulled on Benham Rise to check on resources – Lorenzana. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1,9.