The Philippines is in for a 'long-term struggle' with China over territory, Manila's defense secretary tells CNBC
The Philippines is going to be locked in a long-term struggle with China over the South China Sea, the country's national defense secretary tells CNBC.
TL;DR
- The Philippines' defense secretary, Gilberto Teodoro, described the maritime struggle with China as increasingly intense.
- China claims most of the South China Sea, overlapping with the exclusive economic zones of countries like the Philippines.
- Teodoro stated the Philippines is in for a "long-term struggle" and is defending its exclusive economic zone.
- The Philippines has pursued negotiations and filed an arbitration case under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Success, according to Teodoro, would mean stopping China's further advancement and construction of artificial islands.