Somebody should really consider giving Chinese officials a lesson on what 'hypocrisy' means after they accuse Philippines for being hypocrites when the tiny nation decided to resume construction of several buildings and facilities in the disputed islands in West Philippine Sea.
China's Foreign Ministry expressed serious concern after they heard that the Philippine Government said it would resume repair and reconstruction works saying Manila was infringing on Chinese sovereignty.
The Philippines had halted activities last year over concerns about the effect on an international arbitration complaint filed against China. They then called on all countries last October to stop construction work on small islands and reefs in the area, most of which is claimed by China.
While accusing Philippines of 'hypocrisy, China itself is undertaking massive reclamation works in the area, while Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam have also been improving their facilities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said it was "seriously concerned" by the remarks by Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario.
"On the one hand the Philippines makes unreasonable criticism about China's normal building activities on its own isles, and on the other announces it will resume repairs on an airport, runway and other illegal constructions on China's Spratly Islands, which it illegally occupies," Hua said.
The Philippines foreign ministry said the works, including repairs to an airstrip, did not violate an informal code of conduct in the South China Sea because they would not alter the status quo in the disputed area. The 2002 code was signed by China and 10 Southeast Asian states in Phnom Penh.
In 2013, Manila filed an arbitration case at The Hague questioning the maritime boundaries claimed by Beijing. Del Rosario said Manila expects a decision in February next year.
Hua repeated that China would not participate in the case. Any reason why?
China claims almost the entire sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim the area, where about $5 trillion of seaborne trade pass every year.
China's Foreign Ministry expressed serious concern after they heard that the Philippine Government said it would resume repair and reconstruction works saying Manila was infringing on Chinese sovereignty.
The Philippines had halted activities last year over concerns about the effect on an international arbitration complaint filed against China. They then called on all countries last October to stop construction work on small islands and reefs in the area, most of which is claimed by China.
While accusing Philippines of 'hypocrisy, China itself is undertaking massive reclamation works in the area, while Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam have also been improving their facilities.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said it was "seriously concerned" by the remarks by Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario.
"On the one hand the Philippines makes unreasonable criticism about China's normal building activities on its own isles, and on the other announces it will resume repairs on an airport, runway and other illegal constructions on China's Spratly Islands, which it illegally occupies," Hua said.
The Philippines foreign ministry said the works, including repairs to an airstrip, did not violate an informal code of conduct in the South China Sea because they would not alter the status quo in the disputed area. The 2002 code was signed by China and 10 Southeast Asian states in Phnom Penh.
In 2013, Manila filed an arbitration case at The Hague questioning the maritime boundaries claimed by Beijing. Del Rosario said Manila expects a decision in February next year.
Hua repeated that China would not participate in the case. Any reason why?
China claims almost the entire sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim the area, where about $5 trillion of seaborne trade pass every year.