AS PART of its ongoing international blitz to lobby countries to back it, China yesterday called on Trinidad and Tobago to “stand with righteousness” and support its claim to territories in the South China Sea.

In a statement published in the print media yesterday, China’s Ambassador Huang Xingyuan argued the issue – which is likely to escalate with an international court ruling due – has direct implications for this country.

“I hope you can have a better understanding on the South China Sea dispute, stand with righteousness and justice to support China’s position on the South China Sea, bring peace to the South China Sea again, safeguard the basic norms in international relations and let our two countries share peace and stability in human society,” the Ambassador said.

China and the Philippines have competing claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines – a long-time US ally – has taken the matter to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The Tribunal adjudicates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea . China says it opted out of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea under its Article 298 and therefore the matter stands to be resolved bilaterally, between the two countries and governed by “the spirit of contract”. It notes Trinidad and Tobago – in 2009 and 2007 – has exercised a similar right to opt out of some provisions of the public international law.

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