China RECOGNIZES Philippines' Claim in West Philippine Sea (Evidence Revealed!)

Summary

The transcript discusses the historical and legal basis for Philippine territorial claims, emphasizing the Treaty of Paris and the Treaty of Washington. It refutes the notion that the Philippines has a late claim to territories like Scarborough and the Spratly Islands, arguing that these are within the scope of the treaties. The speaker highlights how other nations, including China, have misinterpreted these treaties, inadvertently reinforcing the Philippines' claims. The discussion also touches on the importance of accurate historical maps and documents in establishing territorial rights.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Treaty of Paris and the Treaty of Washington are central to defining Philippine territory, with the latter clarifying and amending the former.
• 🌍 The Philippines' territorial claims are based on a historical and legal narrative that includes these treaties, asserting that areas like Scarborough and the Spratly Islands are outside Philippine territory.
• 🗣️ Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, in 2016, used the Treaty of Paris lines to argue that certain islands are not part of the Philippines, aligning with the Philippine stance for territorial claims.
• 💼 Legal scholars and luminaries have played a role in shaping the narrative around Philippine territory, with some arguing that the country's claims are historically late compared to China's claims dating back to 1947.
• 🏝️ The Spanish garrisons' refusal to vacate certain islands due to their position outside the Treaty of Paris lines led to the Treaty of Washington, which expanded the definition of Philippine territory.
• 💵 The Treaty of Washington was finalized with an additional payment to Spain, indicating a resolution to the territorial dispute through negotiation and compensation.
• 🗺️ Historical maps, such as the 1734 M Val map, are referenced to support the territorial claims, showing that certain islands were recognized as part of the Philippine territory at the time.
• 🏛️ The 1935 Philippine Constitution acknowledges the Treaty of Washington, suggesting that it plays a role in defining the country's territory.
• 🤝 China's submission to the arbitral tribunal, which includes a statement that Philippine territory is governed by the Treaty of Washington, is considered a judicial admission, binding them to the treaty's terms.
• 🌐 The recognition of the Treaty of Washington by various countries, including China, as a governing document for Philippine territory, reinforces the Philippines' claims without their full understanding of the treaty's text.

Q & A

What did President Marcos declare about Philippine territory in relation to the Treaty of Paris?

President Marcos declared that Philippine territory is regulated by the Treaty of Paris, which was further clarified and amended by the Treaty of Washington.

What was the significance of Foreign Minister Wangi's speech in 2016 at CSIS?

Foreign Minister Wangi's speech in 2016 highlighted the Treaty of Paris lines, showing that Scarborough and the Spratley Islands are outside Philippine territory, which was intended to convince China of the Philippines' position.

Why did the Spanish garrisons refuse to vacate Cagayan de Oro and Butuan?

The Spanish garrisons refused to vacate because they claimed to be outside the Treaty of Paris lines due to a perceived mistake in the treaty's fixed coordinates.

What was the outcome of the negotiations between the Americans and the Spaniards regarding the Treaty of Paris lines?

After negotiations, the Americans agreed to pay an additional $100,000 to the Spaniards on top of the $20 million already paid for the islands within the Treaty of Paris lines to clarify and move the lines.

What does the Treaty of Washington state regarding the Philippine archipelago?

The Treaty of Washington states that Spain cedes to the United States any and all islands belonging to the Philippine archipelago lying outside the lines of the Treaty of Paris.

What are the three maps that support the claim of the Philippine territory?

The three maps that support the claim of the Philippine territory are the 1734 M Val map, the official map of Philippine territory as of 1734, and the map behind the speaker in the video.

What is the significance of the 1935 Philippine Constitution in relation to the Treaty of Washington?

The 1935 Philippine Constitution mentions the Treaty of Washington, indicating that Philippine territory is regulated by three treaties, including the Treaty of Washington.

Why is the Chinese submission of the judicial admission to the arbitral tribunal significant?

The Chinese submission of the judicial admission to the arbitral tribunal is significant because it is the highest form of admission under the law, binding China, Malaysia, the US, and the UK to the Philippine territory's regulation by the Treaty of Washington.

What did China and other countries inadvertently do by relying on the legal luminaries of the Philippines?

China and other countries inadvertently reinforced the Philippines' claim by citing the 1935 Constitution and stating that Philippine territory is governed by three treaties, without fully understanding the text of the Treaty of Washington.

How does the speaker suggest that the legal narrative presented by some Philippine legal experts is incorrect?

The speaker suggests that the legal narrative presented by some Philippine legal experts is incorrect because it misinterprets the Treaty of Washington and overlooks the fact that the treaty includes all islands of the Philippine archipelago outside the Treaty of Paris lines.