Chinese envoy summoned, told 'baselines' in Scarborough not binding

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said it summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to deliver the country's protest over China's drawing of baselines around the Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza reiterated that these baselines, which China announced on Nov. 10, are "not binding on the Philippines".

"The said baselines infringe upon Philippine sovereignty and contravene international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award. The said baselines have no legal basis and are not binding on the Philippines," she said.

In a separate statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Huang told the agency that Beijing would take necessary measures to secure its claim over the atoll.

China lays sovereignty claims over the feature, which is located well within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

The feature is at least 472 nautical miles away from the nearest coast of China. (PNA)