China will not hold reclamation activities or build structures near Pag-asa island and Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday. He and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. In July 2016, the Philippines won a case against China when the Hague-based United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) junked China’s claim on the entire South China Sea based on its nine-dash line theory. Duterte expressed hope that China will live up to its commitment. Asean concernDuterte said freedom of navigation is a concern not only for the Philippines but for many countries, especially Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia which are also claiming islands in South China Sea.

Source: Manila Times November 01, 2017 16:41 UTC