President Duterte has urged China to “temper” its behavior in the South China Sea, saying the right of innocent passage of vessels and aircraft must be respected. The President issued the statement following reports that China warned Philippine military aircraft against flying over the disputed region. According to the President, no one could create artificial islands in international waters and claim ownership of the airspace. “You cannot create an island, it’s man-made and you say that the air above the artificial islands is yours. That is wrong because those waters are what (one) considered international sea and the right of innocent passage is guaranteed,” Duterte said during a business forum in Malacañang.

Kabiling, G. (2018, August 16). Duterte appeals to China: ‘Right of innocent passage of vessels and aircraft must be respected’. Manila Bulletin, pp.1,4.