Teodoro dismisses Chinese officers' 'questions' as propaganda in public forum | GMA Integrated News

A Chinese national raises concerns about a potential proxy war in Asia, drawing parallels with the Russia-Ukraine conflict and questioning why the Philippines cannot manage South China Sea disputes with China as effectively as Vietnam and Malaysia.

Philippines Secretary of Defense, Gilberto Teodoro, dismisses the Chinese questions as 'propaganda spills disguised as questions' and emphasizes that ASEAN members are sovereign countries with territorial integrity.

Teodoro asserts that if China's actions towards the Philippines were directed at other ASEAN countries, the reaction would be different, and the Philippines would stand in solidarity. He highlights the commitment to international law and UNCLOS.

Teodoro points to a deficit of trust in China's words versus its actions, citing the historical example of Mischief Reef where temporary structures evolved into a heavily militarized artificial island, despite China's claims of peaceful intentions.

He underscores that no country supports China's nine-dash line claim or the notion that waters within it are internal. Over 50 nations have condemned China's behavior in the South China Sea, while none have condemned the Philippines for defending its sovereignty.

Teodoro concludes that effective dialogue requires trust, and China has significant trust-building work to do to become an effective negotiating partner in dispute settlement. He states that China's actions are the biggest stumbling block to dispute resolution.