Philippine bookstore pulls out Chinese-made globes

MANILA--Philippine bookstore giant National Bookstore has decided to pull out from its stores all China-made globes, which reflect Beijing's sprawling claim in the disputed South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Following a meeting with DFA officials Thursday, National Bookstore management, according to Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez, has taken a patriotic position to proactively support the Philippine government in advancing Philippine foreign policy objectives. This is to further demonstrate that it stands behind our efforts for a peaceful and friendly resolution of the issues in accordance with international law and to be a partner of the Philippine government in creating national awareness and in nation-building, Hernandez said in a text message. Such move is expected to further displease China, which the Philippines has recently taken to an international arbitration body to try to declare as illegal its expansive claim to the resource-rich waters, part of which is known in the Philippines as West Philippine Sea. China has yet to officially declare if it would get involved in the landmark case. The globes feature Chinas nine-dash line claim, a U-shaped map that covers nearly 90 percent of the South China Sea and overlaps with the sovereign territories of its Asian neighbors Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. Many have feared the conflicts could be Asia's next flashpoint. Manila has maintained that a rules-based approach is the only legitimate way in addressing disputes through a legal framework such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS is a 1982 accord by 163 countries that aims to govern the use of offshore areas and sets territorial limits of coastal states. The Philippines and China are both signatories to the treaty. China is citing historical entitlements as basis for its huge claims over the South China Sea, which is dotted with islands, shoals, cays, reefs and rock formations and is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas.

It is good that our nation have been withdrawn Chinese-made globes showing Beijing's claims to most of the South China Sea from its shelves, a government the national Bookstore has withdrawn all the educational globes. It may further demonstrate that it stands behind our efforts for a peaceful and friendly resolution of the issues in accordance with international law and to be a partner of the Philippine government in creating national awareness and in nation-building. Because of this it may able Manila maintained that a rules-based approach is the only legitimate way in addressing disputes through a legal framework such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. I also agree to this because it may strengthen or maintained its legitimate of our country, by this move is expected to further displease China, which the Philippines has recently taken to an international arbitration body to try to declare as illegal its expansive claim to the resource-rich waters, part of which is known in the Philippines as West Philippine Sea.