Batanes is PH, sovereignty not up for debate
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has dismissed claims by Chinese scholars that the province of Batanes belongs to China as 'disinformation' and 'flights of fancy.' Officials emphasized that Philippine sovereignty over the region is settled and not subject to debate.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea and the use of academic narratives to challenge territorial sovereignty.
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday night said the Philippines’ sovereignty over Batanes is “settled and not up for debate” following claims by supposed Chinese scholars saying the province belongs to China through Taiwan.
“Flights of fancy should not be dignified with a response. Nevertheless, the Philippines’ sovereignty over Batanes is settled and not up for debate,” said Foreign Affairs spokesperson Analyn Ratonel in a text message to reporters.
READ: Chinese claims on Batanes disinformation – Teodoro
“The Philippines will not entertain revisionist claims over its territory and calls on so-called scholars to focus their energies on genuine, good-faith studies of the region,” she added.
The official noted that a Philippine-approved Consular district of the Chinese Consulate General in Laoag itself includes the Philippine province of Batanes.
READ: Teodoro on Chinese scholars’ Batanes claim: It’s a joke
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