MANILA (Bernama-PNA): Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday emphasised that the resource-rich South China Sea (SCS) must never become a zone of conflict but rather a "sea of peace, cooperation, and connectivity.
Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported that Marcos, speaking during a diplomatic reception held for the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award, called on all stakeholders - governments, diplomats and citizens - to uphold the ruling and the rule of law as the foundation for peace and stability.
"We hold a simple but unwavering conviction. The South China Sea must never be an arena of conflict.
"It must remain a sea of peace, cooperation and connectivity, a body of water that sustains livelihoods, fosters trade, protects marine biodiversity, and unites rather than divides our nations,” Marcos said.
He added that the Philippines remains committed to the United Nations Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea while continuing constructive engagement with other countries. -- BERNAMA-PNA
