Philippine Defense Secretary Criticizes China Over South China Sea Stance

Gilberto C. Teodoro, the Defense Secretary of the Philippines, strongly criticized China publicly. This happened after he received a note stating China’s stance on the South China Sea while speaking at the Seoul Defense Dialogue in South Korea.

During his address, a person in a white sports coat placed a piece of paper next to him on the table. Teodoro paused and addressed the audience, saying, “I have a note here, I think this is from China. May I read it?”

He proceeded to read aloud from the note, “China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration is clear, consistent and firm. They have no position. The arbitration violates fundamental principles of international law.”

A massive risk in the South China Sea was exposed after a four-day power loss on a US Navy destroyer.

The note likely referenced the 2016 legal case that the Philippines initiated against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Known as the South China Sea Arbitration, it found China unlawfully reclaiming land in the Philippines’ waters. China rejected the ruling and accused the Philippines of violating its sovereignty.

The dispute has led to tense standoffs between their navies. On a specific occasion, two Philippine Coast Guard ships were surrounded by Chinese vessels in a tense standoff in the South China Sea on March 24, 2025.

How can you deal with a country in an international forum, beyond the question asked to me, disrespecting the organizers of this forum, how do you expect to deal with it civilly?

Teodoro questioned the audience. He continued by asking if the behavior shown by China at the forum was appropriate when a question was posed to him.

He remarked, “It not only disrespects international law, ignoring UNCLOS, but it also disregards the basic decency that should be extended to our host, the Republic of Korea and the audience.”

A Type 094A Jin-class ballistic missile submarine from China’s People’s Liberation Army navigates during a military display in the South China Sea.

Teodoro concluded, “Perhaps basic decency and behavior are what China needs to practice. This represents actual coercion, bullying, and aggression. I will keep this paper as a reminder of how desperate and ineffective China’s position is in front of a free audience. Thank you to the person who handed me this piece of paper. You have performed a great service for your country.”

He highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the Philippines from China’s presence in their territory, particularly within their exclusive economic zone, in contradiction with UNCLOS. According to Teodoro, the Philippines has pursued creative defense arrangements and alliances to counteract these challenges.