My answer is No. Under the law of the sea, an exclusive economic zone is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including production of energy from water and wind. It stretches from the seaward edge of the state's territorial sea out to 200 nautical miles from its coast. In casual usage, the term may include the territorial sea and even the continental shelf beyond the 200-mile limit. The island itself are worthless, apart from being good nature preserves. It is the oil below the island and the surrounding sea that matter. Everybody wants it. So everybody fabricates a claim on it. And the Spratly Island is in the Philippine territory so we have rights to fight for it. And in my own opinion that Island is owned by the Filipinos.
The Spratly islands are in China's back yard, so they have some geographical justification for any claim. Personally, I don't agree as it is really the resources of the island they are after.
China's claim that the South China Sea islands have "always been part of Chinese territory,” is weak. China's exercise of authority over the islands was only occasional and sporadic up through the end of World War II. China's historical claim to the Spratly Islands - although strongly maintained by China - is weak under international law principles. Ignorance of the law excuses no one from noncompliance of it. China failed to know that despite of its claims to the islands of Spratly, it lacks knowledge on the international law principles governing unclaimed nearby islands of countries, and other countries that also claim it.
China’s basis of claiming the island is only the historical events that connect the Spratly Islands and China. This may be the basis; however, it is not as strong as if China has already international arrangements and agreements with other countries. While China claims the island, others also have done the same; each has its own historical basis to use to claim the islands. China has written proofs that will make others believe that the island is theirs. This could be an advantage to them, but if other nearby countries, like Brunei, Vietnam, and the Philippines which are obviously closer to Spratly, have their own historical notes that will make their countries relate to the islands, then it may also be the basis of claim. It just so happened that nearby countries beside the islands have no written records of such. Many criteria other than the historical notes China holds must also be considered on deciding to what country or countries the Spratly Islands must have the ownership.
I believe that disputes on the islands claim will not stop unless such international agreements will guide the countries that argue for the islands. I personally do not agree of China’s basis of claiming the Spratly Islands.
In my outmost conviction I’m against the claim of China on the islands for this reason: First is that China is claiming the islands that are far from their territory or geological structure, and Philippines wrote a complain about China’s claim. After reading this article [China’s Claim on Spratlys] and the reaction of our country I thought that China’s main reason is the resources. But after the 1st claim another blast from China emerge “All of the islands and most of the South China Sea for historical reasons. These claims are not marked by coordinates or otherwise clearly defined. Chinese claims are based on a number of historical events, including the naval expeditions to the Spratly Islands by the Han Dynasty in 110 AD and the Ming Dynasty from 1403-1433 AD. Chinese fishermen and merchants have worked the region over time, and China is using archaeological evidence to bolster its claims of sovereignty. In the 19th and early 20th century, China asserted claims to the Spratly and Paracel islands. During World War II, the islands were claimed by the Japanese. In 1947, China produced a map with 9 undefined dotted lines, and claimed all of the islands within those lines. A 1992 Chinese law restated its claims in the region. China has occupied some of those islands. In 1976, China enforced its claim upon the Paracel Islands by seizing them from Vietnam. China refers to the Paracel Islands as the Xisha Islands, and includes them as part of its Hainan Island province.” Reading this makes me wonder if this will be like Sabbah? WALA NAMAN TALAGA TAYONG MAGAGAWA EH. We are up against one of the powerful countries in the world; we are like ants in their tingling palms. If UN will end this dispute and give the jurisdiction of the islands to China, my middle finger will always be standing, and greeting China for last rest of my Filipino life. I thank you! MABUHAY!
I definitely disagree with China's historical claim of Spratly. We can analyze this historical claim by just using our common sense. China has the largest area in the world so they can just simply include the other islands surrounding them to their territory just by pin-pointing. If we think that China has a point with this historical claim, what about, if we also compose a "counter-historical claim". I think this is a better option.=)
No, because Philippines already built structures (military base) probably 20 years ago or more and can make Spratly's a modern military base not a tourist destination. China claims it, we also claims it, seems like Spratly really belongs to the Philippines because it is too far from China.
I'm simply not in favor of China's historical claim for the Spratly Island because in my own point of view, Ancient records are sparse, incomplete, and do not provide compelling evidence of routine occupation, effective administration, or assertion of sovereign control. Based on the article that I’ve read, the claim that the islands were exclusively Chinese is further weakened by an official Chinese government report published in 1928 that shows the southernmost delineation of Chinese territory as the Xisha Islands (Paracels) and makes no mention of the Nansha (Spratly) islands. Also, China did not exhibit a regular pattern of behavior or repetition of the same or similar activities until the 1970s, when it started regularly asserting itself against Vietnam and the Philippines. The opposition of foreign states also weakens China's claims. Other nations did not "comply" to China's assertions of sovereignty. Vietnam has claimed the islands for centuries, and France, Britain, and Japan each made claims in earlier periods. And currently, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, as well as Vietnam, all have significant claims to all or some of these islets. Also, China has not until very recently tried to exclude or regulate foreign fishing vessels or merchant shipping in the southern South China Sea. Nevertheless, for all of the above reasons, China's historical claim to the Spratly Islands - although strongly maintained by China - is weak under international law principles.
No. Because, I do not agree with that they own everything on the South China Sea just because it is named after them. Also, China had historical records about the Luzon island even before the Spanish came and it is within the 200 nautical miles rule of UNCLOS, but why did they not made claim of it. Plus, China is much farther away than the other countries surrounding the Spratleys and it is not even an archipelago. I think that countries much closer to the Spratleys has more right to claim over it. For me, Spratley belongs to Austronesia (Maritime Southeast Asia) and that only Austronesians (Maritime Southeast Asians) can claim over it.
I don't agree with China's historical claim of Spratly though I respect their right of claiming the island. I believe that we have a much stronger reason of claiming Spratly because aside from UNCLOS, it is a fact that the island is nearest to our country and it lies on the West Philippine Sea. I also consider one thing for sure that, not all written in the history are true. Some parts of it may have changed from time to time. And lastly, as a Filipino, I truly believe that Spratly Islands belong to our country, Philippines.
Basically, I don't agree with China's bogus historical claims for the Spratly Island. Although there are documents saying that 2,000 years ago ships from China have used or have sailed across the South China Sea, and thus with increased frequency and range of China's voyage and so is their awareness of the Spratly Islands existence, but we still can never say that all of this are accurate and proven. Although it has been said and written in the laws of the UNCLOS that with Historical basis or claims, the 200 nautical mile basis for territorial sea will be neglected, still I strongly believe that the Republic of the Philippines has better reasons or claims regarding the Spratly Islands. Also there is a large chance that the 1st Filipinos might have set sailed to the Spratly's Islands first than the Chinese, because it is a fact that the Philippines is the nearest country to the Spratly's Islands. I'm not bias regarding this matters for I'm a Filipino but I truly and strongly believe that we really have better rights than China or any other country claiming the controversial Spralty's Islands we are just not that brave enough to speak out.
Basically I would say no, because I am a Filipino but aside from that, I disagree with China's historal claim because they don't have the proof even though they said that, China have used or have sailed across the South China Sea, and thus with increased frequency and range of China's voyage and so is their awareness of the Spratly Islands existence, what do we know if it's fake. I believe that the Philippines has the right to claim spratlys based on UNCLOS and as we can see, Philippines is the nearest country within the island's location and it lies within the West Philippine Sea, and that's a fact. For some reasons, We just don't have the guts to speak out and claim what is ours.
i do not agree with China's historical claim on Spratly islands. According to the history of China, Han Dynasty in 110 AD and the Ming Dynasty have made naval expeditions to the Spratly Islands from 1403-1433 AD. Chinese fishermen and merchants have worked the region over time, and China is using archaeological evidence to bolster its claims of sovereignty. In the 19th and early 20th century, China asserted claims to the Spratly and Paracel islands. During World War II, the islands were claimed by the Japanese. In 1947, China produced a map with 9 undefined dotted lines, and claimed all of the islands within those lines. A 1992 Chinese law restated its claims in the region. But regarding this events, we cannot consider that just by drawing dotted lines on the map be the means of ownership. We should also consider the boundaries of one's country. Also, based on the unclos, Spratly Islands is deserved by the Filipinos not by chinese and any other country.
i do not agree...spratly islands belongs to the republic of the Philippines since united nations exsisted. And it is moraly right to claim what is ours. I consider one thing for sure , not all written in the history are true. I believe that spratly islands will become successfully will belongs to our territory soon.
I also disagree with it even though China has their written evidences about the problem. Philippines is the nearest country in Spratly Islands(I'm not sure) and history says that in the past some Filipino's have been there already. We should fight for our own rights and have guts to claim what is supposed to be our property. Not all written records are true! diba sir? :)
CHINA's historical claims has a good basis but their basis is not enough to own the island..and i've read an article that the claims of china was sold to Filipinos and besides the island is inside the Philippines boundary and yet it is part of the the Kalayaan island
I dont agree..the spratly island belongs to the philippines..base on the UNCLOS philippines is nearest country from the spratly island and it is also part of the kalayaan group of island...even though the chinas has an historical basis its not an strong evidence that the island belongs to them
NO china has no right on this islands... cuz in Spratly islands is in the Philippine area of responsibility..
Despite the opposition of maritime powers, the Philippines and four other states (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Bahamas) got the approval in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea held in Jamaica last December 10, 1982. They were qualified as archipelagic states. The archipelagic doctrine is now incorporated in Chapter IV of the said convention. It legalizes the unity of land, water and people into a single entity
The Philippines bolstered the archipelagic principle in defining its territory when it included in Article 1 of the 1987 Constitution the following: "The national territory comprises the Philippine Archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein 200miles"; and "The waters around, between and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines." On the strength of these assertions, the Philippines Archipelago is considered as one integrated unit instead of being divided into more than seven thousand islands. The outermost of our archipelago are connected with straight baselines and all waters inside the baselines are considered as internal waters. This makes the large bodies of waters connecting the islands of the archipelago like Mindanao Sea, Sulo Sea and the Sibuyan Sea part of the Philippines as its internal waters, similar to the rivers and lakes found within the islands themselves.
I agree with the china's historical claim for spratly island (:P) because china knew the island would be a big help for their country and they need the island as they have the largest population in the world. It is for the preparation of the future of their country for claiming it since the island has the resources that would supply and balance their needs in terms of oil supply.
Place your answer here...
ReplyDeleteSample:
DELA CRUZ, JUAN
The China's historical claim for Spratly Islands...
ESGUERRA, FLORAMAE JOY C.
ReplyDeleteMy answer is No. Under the law of the sea, an exclusive economic zone is a seazone over which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, including production of energy from water and wind. It stretches from the seaward edge of the state's territorial sea out to 200 nautical miles from its coast. In casual usage, the term may include the territorial sea and even the continental shelf beyond the 200-mile limit. The island itself are worthless, apart from being good nature preserves.
It is the oil below the island and the surrounding sea that matter.
Everybody wants it. So everybody fabricates a claim on it. And the Spratly Island is in the Philippine territory so we have rights to fight for it. And in my own opinion that Island is owned by the Filipinos.
Dela Merced, Jared R.
ReplyDeleteThe Spratly islands are in China's back yard, so they have some geographical justification for any claim.
Personally, I don't agree as it is really the resources of the island they are after.
ESGUERRA, Melvin C.
ReplyDeleteChina's claim that the South China Sea islands have "always been part of Chinese territory,” is weak. China's exercise of authority over the islands was only occasional and sporadic up through the end of World War II. China's historical claim to the Spratly Islands - although strongly maintained by China - is weak under international law principles. Ignorance of the law excuses no one from noncompliance of it. China failed to know that despite of its claims to the islands of Spratly, it lacks knowledge on the international law principles governing unclaimed nearby islands of countries, and other countries that also claim it.
China’s basis of claiming the island is only the historical events that connect the Spratly Islands and China. This may be the basis; however, it is not as strong as if China has already international arrangements and agreements with other countries. While China claims the island, others also have done the same; each has its own historical basis to use to claim the islands. China has written proofs that will make others believe that the island is theirs. This could be an advantage to them, but if other nearby countries, like Brunei, Vietnam, and the Philippines which are obviously closer to Spratly, have their own historical notes that will make their countries relate to the islands, then it may also be the basis of claim. It just so happened that nearby countries beside the islands have no written records of such. Many criteria other than the historical notes China holds must also be considered on deciding to what country or countries the Spratly Islands must have the ownership.
I believe that disputes on the islands claim will not stop unless such international agreements will guide the countries that argue for the islands. I personally do not agree of China’s basis of claiming the Spratly Islands.
CAFIRMA, Bjorn S.
ReplyDeleteIn my outmost conviction I’m against the claim of China on the islands for this reason:
First is that China is claiming the islands that are far from their territory or geological structure, and Philippines wrote a complain about China’s claim. After reading this article [China’s Claim on Spratlys] and the reaction of our country I thought that China’s main reason is the resources. But after the 1st claim another blast from China emerge “All of the islands and most of the South China Sea for historical reasons. These claims are not marked by coordinates or otherwise clearly defined.
Chinese claims are based on a number of historical events, including the naval expeditions to the Spratly Islands by the Han Dynasty in 110 AD and the Ming Dynasty from 1403-1433 AD. Chinese fishermen and merchants have worked the region over time, and China is using archaeological evidence to bolster its claims of sovereignty.
In the 19th and early 20th century, China asserted claims to the Spratly and Paracel islands. During World War II, the islands were claimed by the Japanese. In 1947, China produced a map with 9 undefined dotted lines, and claimed all of the islands within those lines. A 1992 Chinese law restated its claims in the region.
China has occupied some of those islands. In 1976, China enforced its claim upon the Paracel Islands by seizing them from Vietnam. China refers to the Paracel Islands as the Xisha Islands, and includes them as part of its Hainan Island province.” Reading this makes me wonder if this will be like Sabbah? WALA NAMAN TALAGA TAYONG MAGAGAWA EH. We are up against one of the powerful countries in the world; we are like ants in their tingling palms. If UN will end this dispute and give the jurisdiction of the islands to China, my middle finger will always be standing, and greeting China for last rest of my Filipino life.
I thank you! MABUHAY!
GARIBAY, Jose Paolo L.
ReplyDeleteI definitely disagree with China's historical claim of Spratly. We can analyze this historical claim by just using our common sense. China has the largest area in the world so they can just simply include the other islands surrounding them to their territory just by pin-pointing. If we think that China has a point with this historical claim, what about, if we also compose a "counter-historical claim". I think this is a better option.=)
GO, Erwin P.
ReplyDeleteNo, because Philippines already built structures (military base) probably 20 years ago or more and can make Spratly's a modern military base not a tourist destination. China claims it, we also claims it, seems like Spratly really belongs to the Philippines because it is too far from China.
DE ROBLES, JOHN DENNIS T.
ReplyDeleteI'm simply not in favor of China's historical claim for the Spratly Island because in my own point of view, Ancient records are sparse, incomplete, and do not provide compelling evidence of routine occupation, effective administration, or assertion of sovereign control. Based on the article that I’ve read, the claim that the islands were exclusively Chinese is further weakened by an official Chinese government report published in 1928 that shows the southernmost delineation of Chinese territory as the Xisha Islands (Paracels) and makes no mention of the Nansha (Spratly) islands. Also, China did not exhibit a regular pattern of behavior or repetition of the same or similar activities until the 1970s, when it started regularly asserting itself against Vietnam and the Philippines.
The opposition of foreign states also weakens China's claims. Other nations did not "comply" to China's assertions of sovereignty. Vietnam has claimed the islands for centuries, and France, Britain, and Japan each made claims in earlier periods. And currently, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, as well as Vietnam, all have significant claims to all or some of these islets. Also, China has not until very recently tried to exclude or regulate foreign fishing vessels or merchant shipping in the southern South China Sea. Nevertheless, for all of the above reasons, China's historical claim to the Spratly Islands - although strongly maintained by China - is weak under international law principles.
LABALAN, MIKO B.
ReplyDeleteNo. Because, I do not agree with that they own everything on the South China Sea just because it is named after them. Also, China had historical records about the Luzon island even before the Spanish came and it is within the 200 nautical miles rule of UNCLOS, but why did they not made claim of it. Plus, China is much farther away than the other countries surrounding the Spratleys and it is not even an archipelago. I think that countries much closer to the Spratleys has more right to claim over it. For me, Spratley belongs to Austronesia (Maritime Southeast Asia) and that only Austronesians (Maritime Southeast Asians) can claim over it.
QUIZON, Jay Vincent I.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with China's historical claim of Spratly though I respect their right of claiming the island. I believe that we have a much stronger reason of claiming Spratly because aside from UNCLOS, it is a fact that the island is nearest to our country and it lies on the West Philippine Sea. I also consider one thing for sure that, not all written in the history are true. Some parts of it may have changed from time to time. And lastly, as a Filipino, I truly believe that Spratly Islands belong to our country, Philippines.
REYES, PAUL SIMON M.
ReplyDeleteBasically, I don't agree with China's bogus historical claims for the Spratly Island. Although there are documents saying that 2,000 years ago ships from China have used or have sailed across the South China Sea, and thus with increased frequency and range of China's voyage and so is their awareness of the Spratly Islands existence, but we still can never say that all of this are accurate and proven. Although it has been said and written in the laws of the UNCLOS that with Historical basis or claims, the 200 nautical mile basis for territorial sea will be neglected, still I strongly believe that the Republic of the Philippines has better reasons or claims regarding the Spratly Islands. Also there is a large chance that the 1st Filipinos might have set sailed to the Spratly's Islands first than the Chinese, because it is a fact that the Philippines is the nearest country to the Spratly's Islands. I'm not bias regarding this matters for I'm a Filipino but I truly and strongly believe that we really have better rights than China or any other country claiming the controversial Spralty's Islands we are just not that brave enough to speak out.
Macapagal, Paul Angelo T.
ReplyDeleteBasically I would say no, because I am a Filipino but aside from that, I disagree with China's historal claim because they don't have the proof even though they said that, China have used or have sailed across the South China Sea, and thus with increased frequency and range of China's voyage and so is their awareness of the Spratly Islands existence, what do we know if it's fake. I believe that the Philippines has the right to claim spratlys based on UNCLOS and as we can see, Philippines is the nearest country within the island's location and it lies within the West Philippine Sea, and that's a fact. For some reasons, We just don't have the guts to speak out and claim what is ours.
Espiritu, Gerald A.
ReplyDeletei do not agree with China's historical claim on Spratly islands. According to the history of China, Han Dynasty in 110 AD and the Ming Dynasty have made naval expeditions to the Spratly Islands from 1403-1433 AD. Chinese fishermen and merchants have worked the region over time, and China is using archaeological evidence to bolster its claims of sovereignty.
In the 19th and early 20th century, China asserted claims to the Spratly and Paracel islands. During World War II, the islands were claimed by the Japanese. In 1947, China produced a map with 9 undefined dotted lines, and claimed all of the islands within those lines. A 1992 Chinese law restated its claims in the region. But regarding this events, we cannot consider that just by drawing dotted lines on the map be the means of ownership. We should also consider the boundaries of one's country. Also, based on the unclos, Spratly Islands is deserved by the Filipinos not by chinese and any other country.
Empino, Gene Reynald M.
ReplyDeletei do not agree...spratly islands belongs to the republic of the Philippines since united nations exsisted. And it is moraly right to claim what is ours. I consider one thing for sure , not all written in the history are true. I believe that spratly islands will become successfully will belongs to our territory soon.
October 5, 2011 11:16AM
Coronado,Carlo L.
ReplyDeleteI also disagree with it even though China has their written evidences about the problem. Philippines is the nearest country in Spratly Islands(I'm not sure) and history says that in the past some Filipino's have been there already. We should fight for our own rights and have guts to claim what is supposed to be our property. Not all written records are true! diba sir? :)
OCtober 5, 2011
LLACUNA, JOHN PAUL
ReplyDeleteCHINA's historical claims has a good basis but their basis is not enough to own the island..and i've read an article that the claims of china was sold to Filipinos and besides the island is inside the Philippines boundary and yet it is part of the the Kalayaan island
MENDOZA,NORWIN MIKE P.
ReplyDeleteI dont agree..the spratly island belongs to the philippines..base on the UNCLOS philippines is nearest country from the spratly island and it is also part of the kalayaan group of island...even though the chinas has an historical basis its not an strong evidence that the island belongs to them
ROSALES, SHIELA MAE P.
ReplyDeleteNO china has no right on this islands... cuz in Spratly islands is in the Philippine area of responsibility..
Despite the opposition of maritime powers, the Philippines and four other states (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Bahamas) got the approval in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea held in Jamaica last December 10, 1982. They were qualified as archipelagic states. The archipelagic doctrine is now incorporated in Chapter IV of the said convention. It legalizes the unity of land, water and people into a single entity
The Philippines bolstered the archipelagic principle in defining its territory when it included in Article 1 of the 1987 Constitution the following:
"The national territory comprises the Philippine Archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein 200miles"; and
"The waters around, between and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines."
On the strength of these assertions, the Philippines Archipelago is considered as one integrated unit instead of being divided into more than seven thousand islands. The outermost of our archipelago are connected with straight baselines and all waters inside the baselines are considered as internal waters. This makes the large bodies of waters connecting the islands of the archipelago like Mindanao Sea, Sulo Sea and the Sibuyan Sea part of the Philippines as its internal waters, similar to the rivers and lakes found within the islands themselves.
JABINES, CHRISTOPHER M.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the china's historical claim for spratly island (:P) because china knew the island would be a big help for their country and they need the island as they have the largest population in the world. It is for the preparation of the future of their country for claiming it since the island has the resources that would supply and balance their needs in terms of oil supply.
October 31, 2011 9:10PM