Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro refuted the Chinese representative’s note at the Seoul Security Dialogue

When Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro attended the Seoul Security Dialogue in South Korea today, he received a note from a Chinese representative on the stage, questioning the award of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration case. Teodoro asked the other party to "be more ashamed" in Filipino on the spot.

Gilberto Teodoro visited South Korea from the 7th to the 9th to participate in the Seoul Defense Dialogue and delivered a speech at the plenary session today.

The Manila Times reported that while Theodoro was on stage, he received a note from an unidentified Chinese representative regarding China's position on the 2016 South China Sea arbitration award, claiming that the award "violated the basic principles of international law."

"This so-called ruling is illegal, invalid and has no legal effect," the note read.

The Philippines took its South China Sea dispute with China to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands, in 2013. The PCA ruled on July 12, 2016 that China's nine-dash line (now the ten-dash line) is not valid under international law, and the Philippines can exclusively enjoy the resources of the exclusive economic zone. China does not accept or recognize the arbitration results.

After receiving the note today, Tiodoro said: "If this is the position conveyed to me by China, then it not only disrespects international law, throwing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the ground and trampling under its feet, but also disrespects the basic courtesy expected of our most gracious host, South Korea, and other participants present."

He also questioned: "I want to ask you, when I answer questions on stage, is this the right document for you to bring to me?"

Tiodoro added: "Perhaps, what China should do is basic courtesy and behavior. In the Filipino saying, it is 'be more polite and have more shame'."

As soon as these words came out, the audience burst into applause.

Teodoro also reiterated during the meeting that the Philippines will not compromise on issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty and will fight against aggression by any country. It will also continue to defend international law and promote military modernization. While improving its own defense capabilities, it will establish defense partnerships with more countries with similar concepts.