Gov’t releases statement on South China Sea dispute

A Chinese coastguard vessel (L) uses water cannon on a Vietnamese Sea Guard ship on the South China Sea near the Paracels islands, in this handout photo taken on May 4, 2014 and released by Vietnam Marine Guard on May 8, 2014
A Chinese coastguard vessel (L) uses water cannon on a Vietnamese Sea Guard ship on the South China Sea near the Paracels islands, in this handout photo taken on May 4, 2014 and released by Vietnam Marine Guard on May 8, 2014

The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has said it noted with interest the debate on the South China Sea and is calling on the international judicial or arbitral bodies to fully respect the provisions of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including the Declarations made by the States Parties under Article 298 of the Convention.

“We also respect the right of all sovereign states, including states parties to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to seek settlement of the dispute by the means of their own choice,” the government said in a statement on Friday.

What is the South China Sea dispute and how did it come along?

According to the BBC, rival countries have been wrangling over territory in the South China Sea for centuries, but tension has steadily increased in recent years. China has backed up its claims of 85 percent of the South China Sea by building islands and sending out naval patrols.

However, the move is not going down well with the US, which said that such moves restrict freedom of navigation. The US also said all sides in the matter have laid unlawful sovereignty claims but many see this aimed chiefly at China.

The area of contention
The area of contention

Countries taking overlapping claims in the South China Sea include China, Taiwan, Vietman, the Philippines and Malaysia. The dispute is over territory and sovereignty over ocean areas, and Paracels and the Spratlys – two largely uninhabited island chains claimed in whole or in part by a number of countries, according to the BBC. The Paracels and the Spratlys may have reserves of natural resources around them.

In its statement on Friday the government of Dominica said, “We support the sovereign states directly concerned to resolve their relevant disputes through consultations and negotiations, on the basis of historical facts and international law and call on the states concerned to seek peaceful settlement of their territorial and maritime disputes through consultations and negotiations, and in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.”

The government said it believes that “international community should play a constructive role in the peace and stability of the South China Sea by supporting the settlement of disputes by the disputing parties through negotiations in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS, and should not seek to exert a disruptive force in the disputes by attempting to internationalize, militarize or complicate the issues involved.”

Below are recent flashpoints in the South China Sea dispute (credit BBC):

-In 1974 the Chinese seized the Paracels from Vietnam, killing more than 70 Vietnamese troops.
-In 1988 the two sides clashed in the Spratlys, with Vietnam again coming off worse, losing about 60 sailors.
-In early 2012, China and the Philippines engaged in a lengthy maritime stand-off, accusing each other of intrusions in the Scarborough Shoal.
-In July 2012 China angered Vietnam and the Philippines when it formally created Sansha city, an administrative body with its headquarters in the Paracels which it says oversees Chinese territory in the South China Sea.
-Unverified claims that the Chinese navy sabotaged two Vietnamese exploration operations in late 2012 led to large anti-China protests on Vietnam’s streets.
-In January 2013, Manila said it was taking China to a UN tribunal under the auspices of the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea, to challenge its claims.
-In May 2014, the introduction by China of a drilling rig into waters near the Paracel Islands led to multiple collisions between Vietnamese and Chinese ships.
-In April 2015, satellite images showed China building an airstrip on reclaimed land in the Spratlys.
-In October 2015, the US sailed a guided-missile destroyer within 12-nautical miles of the artificial islands – the first in a series of actions planned to assert freedom of navigation in the region. China warned that the US should “not act blindly or make trouble out of nothing”.

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55 Comments

  1. It matters nothing to China who the South Sea legally belongs to. In fact who any piece of land rightfully belongs to is not important to China.

    All the Dragon cares about is would they be able to grab it. If they saw it would be in their best interest to possess the property and saw themselves as capable of doing so they would not be above considering it theirs.

    They are communists, godless, and heartless. There is a self serving motive for all their actions. Their singleness of mind is what contributes to any success they have had. If something was not good for them they would not consider it for a moment.

    Even in Canada the Chinese are totally materialistic. They want what is best for their families. Good for good for them! I don’t blame them for this. But when they don’t care how they achieve their goals and will
    do anything to gain what they want regardless of how it hurts others this makes them a people to be watched.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  2. Labouway
    June 28, 2016

    I do not care about DLP statement about South China Sea. What I care about is the DLP statement on Bird Island (islas viernes) that Venezuela thief from Dominica.

    So DLP tell us what are your views on Bird Island stolen from us in Dominica by Venezuela… :lol: :lol: :lol:

  3. For Dominica
    June 27, 2016

    but.. thats not our business.

  4. Finally
    June 27, 2016

    The Chinese forced him to say it, Simple

    • FORKIT
      June 27, 2016

      lol

    • June 27, 2016

      But in that case you’d think that he’d have said something backing up the Chinese position, and he didn’t. It’s actually pretty surprising.

  5. Promises galore
    June 27, 2016

    Sir, the time has come for you to make a clear statement on the crisis in Venezuela. This is an issue very close to home.

  6. CAPTCHA still?
    June 27, 2016

    Some people really got \”BALLS!!\” Small ones, that is. :twisted:

  7. CAPTCHA still?
    June 27, 2016

    I can see the south china sea from my window. Every morning I see young men going up and down the south china sea with nothing to do, no work, no trade school no nothing. They are just circling the south china sea from pork-smout to Scottshead.

  8. Fact
    June 26, 2016

    China is a greedy Country. They flocking everywhere whenever they see something they want, and also let’s forget they are also very prejudice. It seems like they want to conquer the world.

    • Fact:

      You are right on all counts!

      That is what makes it so dangerous for a smaller country to compromise its security by accepting gifts, charity, (bribes?) or help from China, or to “borrow” from such a godless entity. China with its population, industry, armed forces, and the space it occupies on the world stage is already at an advantage.

      At the time of the red revolution they drove our missionaries out and have since treated our church dignitaries violently contrary to protocol when they legally visited China. But in God’s perfect timing we will return because we are passionate about the many millions of Chinese souls behind the bamboo curtain.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  9. Goodwillian
    June 26, 2016

    The government of Dominica (one man) sold Bird Island for a few pieces of silver, something Rosie Douglas vehemently opposed, giving up Bird Island. Was personal jewelry made with the silver? Now the government (one man) is poking its ugly nose in the South China Seas?

    • June 27, 2016

      When did Dominica own Bird Island? How can you sell something that you never owned? Get the facts on Bird Island before speak.

  10. dno sucks
    June 25, 2016

    I have not heard anything or read any remarks made by Skerrit of the things happening inDominica now his tongue is wagg ing but nothing was said the disrespect of minors by ministers or the horrible treatment of young pe ople working without pay What a prime minister………

  11. Shameless
    June 25, 2016

    Really and truely, who cares what Skerrit says about the South China Sea? He still cant solve the dispute between Reggie and Mervin for that northern constituency or even between Carbon and Blackmore over the recent clash in Guada with the french authorities he there talking about nonsense. China so bad why didn’t fire on the American warships when they said by the islands they built? Monkey knows there is danger when climbing prickle trees. :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

    China is a bully in that region but once America make it known they will NOT tolerate it they open their mouths but tuck their tail where it rightfully belong. For so long they threatened Taiwan why don’t they invade them? Answer; they know America will daycarlay them. So Skerro you are a nonentity in BIG men game so SHUT UP! Worry about Marigot and Salisbury before its too late.

    Always Assertive!

    • Shameless
      June 25, 2016

      “Correction; when the sailed by”

      Always Assertive! :twisted:

    • June 27, 2016

      Well, well, I can recall not too long ago the UWP taking a position on the Polisario Front. For the UWP supporters that was all good but it seems to be a Cardinal sin now that Skeritt has issued a statement on the South China Sea matter. Total political bias !!!!!!

  12. "No Respector of Persons"
    June 25, 2016

    Mr. Skerrit, kindly concentrate on the many outstanding, unsolved and or pending issues, out-dated laws and crying concerns of the Commonwealth of Dominica instead of putting your nose where it does not belong.

  13. truth
    June 25, 2016

    Child molestation rampant in dominica, People disappearing every munite, hungry people starving, hospitals closing down, people losing their jobs ,every day, murders upon murders ,in the past ten years, it is hard to name one institution in dominica which haven’t had a robbery conducted by a worker or otherwise, and soooooooooooo much more is happening every day, NO voice of the government or the prime minister,on those issues , But you see what interests him?
    He supported gadafi when he was murdering his people, remember that was the pm words ,ok ,he is in support of maduro all now in venesuella , he supporting the king of morocco against the poor africans , now he is supporting the chinese in their corrupt practices, My God, who have eyes to see, let them see,for in the abundance of water ,a fool is still thirsty,

  14. keepingitreal
    June 25, 2016

    your singing for your supper..you don’t understand how complex this political issue is,don’t involve Dominica in this sea of hot water. :twisted:

  15. Favoured
    June 25, 2016

    What release we want is a two separate statements for starters explaining Governments involvement in the Panama Papers and secondly a release on my Dominica Trade House.

  16. Albert
    June 25, 2016

    Why does the PM and government feel a need to get involved in the South China sea dispute?. How does this dispute affect our beloved country’s NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS? There is absolutely nothing to gain from such statements…nothing at all. Put Dominica first not China. Donkey has tight in horse race, let keep this in mind so we do not have to keep putting out foot in our mouths

  17. MR Dominica
    June 25, 2016

    Skeritt should worry about the drugs distroying the young people all over Dominica which his police department seem unable to control and even when they bring someone to court they are given a slap on the wrist by magistrats who seem to think that their job is to be a tax collector. Meanwhile the drug dealers treat the fines as jokes or part of doing business . This should be treated the same way one would be treated if caught puting poison into the waterr system because the result would be the same .DESTRUTION OF THE COMMUNITY . to quote the late prime minister of st lucia COCKROACH HA NO BUSINESS IN FOWL FIGHT

  18. June 25, 2016

    Skerrit is in over his head :-D :-D , noticing he want :-D :-D

  19. Doc. Love
    June 24, 2016

    Here we go again, Skeritt does not know his priorities. The man is concerned about what is happening in the South China Sea, hundred of miles away from Dominica, whereas right in his face, the Venezuelans have captured Bird Island which belongs to Dominica and he isn’t saying a word, neither are the Chinese helping him to get back what legally belongs to Dominica. Is he so stupid as to believe if he doesn’t put his mouth in what that does not concern him, China will not get us financial aid. The same Chinese he is supporting, should a delegation visits Dominica and some minor accident occurs in Marigot, where is the hospital to take care of them. Leadership is everything, that characteristic does not pertain to Skeritt.

  20. BEB
    June 24, 2016

    Why cant the PM convey these same sentiments to the Int. world with regards to our own, Bird Island, than rather allowing VeneZuela to lay claims to that small island which is closer to us than them?
    Who he thinks would listen to him when South China and Vietnam would be fighting over territorial boundaries?

    • BEB you must remember some people will sell their mother to the devil for a fist of dollars you know!

      For what its worth from Patrick John to Eugenia Charles, to Edison James, to Rosie Douglas, Saraphine, to Pierre Charles, to Stand in Reverie, to now, that damn Mountain Chicken Carpaud Mentality Roosevelt Skerrit, none of them had the guts to take up the issue with Venezuela.

      Eugenia Charles believed to be in a inebriated state of mind emphatically told the Venezuelan dictator he can take Ave’s island because “we doh want it.”

      Hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahah!

      Boy, if their was not something of value besides the birds, and turtles on the island, the Venezuelans would not be guarding it with gun-boats for more than a hundred years!

  21. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    June 24, 2016

    “A Chinese coastguard vessel (L) uses water cannon on a Vietnamese Sea Guard ship on the South China Sea near the Paracels islands, in this handout photo taken on May 4, 2014 and released by Vietnam Marine Guard on May 8, 2014”

    Dear Dominica, readers, and contributors to DNO, please note what is written in the quote above; I know that I am considered a disgusting critique of Roosevelt Skerrit: Nevertheless, right here the man proved himself to be nothing more than a Mountain Chicken Carpaud (Crapo) mentality Sly Eye Indian doctor of nothing!

    That photograph was taken on the 8th day of May 2014. We are in the month of June 2016! Three years has elapsed since the incident; that crapo has only found it fit to run off his mouth talking he want some crap to be resolved in what way, more than three years after the event. Skerrit should mind his business which is unemployment in Dominica, and the backward state in which he has the country. All of this is as a result of his stupid…

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      June 24, 2016

      Contin:

      All of this is as a result of his stupid ego, wanting to be considered as someone in the G 8: Dominica is not in that classification. If Skerrit believe his voice is heard internationally even in China.

      I suggest, just for the hell of it Skerrit, get an audience with the President of the United States, France, the Chancellor of Germany, the Prime Minister, or any authority in Spain, or even the El Presidente of Mexico, prove to me Skerrit how important you are by getting an audience with the Prime Minister of Australia, if you are as important as you are trying to impress your supporters in Dominica! Prove me wrong Skerrit; when you do; I will bow lower than any of you puppets, and kiss your ***********, for the rest of my natural life!

      You are nothing than a joke, the smallest in the scheme of things, have you noticed no other Prime Minister in the Caribbean waste their time talking and babbling nonsense as you do? They are too busy working to develop…

  22. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    June 24, 2016

    “Gov’t releases statement on South China Sea dispute”

    I wonder how many people in Dominica, and the rest of the Caribbean cares about what the heck is taking place in the South China sea? At leas the Chines were not very eager to unleash weapons of death, and destruction on a smaller, and none offensive and weaker Vesicle.
    They used water, and that is because they are aware that China is simply provoking, and intimidating users of the South China, unlike Dominica government who deliberately provoked the people of Salisbury, and then opened fire on the defenses with military assault weapons, and bullets.
    The only reason Skerrit gave that photograph to DNO is to cerate an impression that he is informed of world matter; (cause him gat foreign policy!)

  23. john Paul
    June 24, 2016

    I say “Donkey have no right in Horse race”
    Anything the Government Here says is a waste of time!
    Before i waste mine I am done wid dat!

  24. China gives handouts to Dominica, and wants the islands of the Caribbean to think they are a good hearted and gracious people. But they are better known for their civil rights violation against their own people, and the way they have treated visitors from the free world.

    I have a pastor friend from one of the largest evangelical churches in Canada who visited China several years ago for no reason but to address a group of pastors at a church convention. The Chinese police raided the venue in the middle of a meeting while he was speaking and rudely arrested him. This poor man is a diabetic and has a life threatening heart condition. They dragged him out to a police wagon. He was literally thrown in jail and held for three or four days with scarcely a decent meal and no consideration for his medications. By a miracle of God he was finally liberated and was able to join his team and return to Canada.

    • Continuation:

      I wish I could say this was an isolated incident. But I have heard of similar cases like it since them.

      The closer you get to China the better you know China and how red communism has messed up the minds of the people and their government. The United Nations was fool enough to put China on their security council a few years ago which of course is like leaving the fox to guard the hen house.
      Make no mistake about this. China has its eye on the Caribbean and it likes what it sees.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

      • Heartfelt
        June 27, 2016

        I find, for a reverend, you have a lot of time on your hands to be reading and posting under every article DNO posts. Is this where you do your research on how to save lost souls?

  25. Just watching
    June 24, 2016

    What Mr trying he talking about something in which his voice will never be herd but he not telling dominicans what is his position vis a vis bird island and never wet to the meeting to query dominica during water by allowing the date to pass. Mr . Look your back yard before you check others issues

  26. duck1951
    June 24, 2016

    That certainly sounds comical . China is intent on conquering the world. Look at their tentacles ;they are everywhere . While all the other countries keep fighting one a one and other . they quietly keep accumulating more property . From the look on the map they should be entitled to nothing .

  27. Annon
    June 24, 2016

    Well…this support is Quid pro quo, return on investment. China claiming just as much as V’zuela is claiming in the Caribbean Sea. Morale of story, if we can support V’zuela’s claim to 80% of the Caribbean Sea so can we China. I wonder if the UN can help in both situations.

  28. Anansi
    June 24, 2016

    Skerrit calling for the satisfactory end to a dispute? He can’t even settle the dispute he started with the people of Marigot, alas, the Salisbury dispute is still ongoing. Instead of digging his nose in bigger things, why doesn’t he ensure his house is in order first?

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      June 24, 2016

      You know if you go to Wesley; you may hear someone use the term “how you damn up, so nuh; or ah up e-up.” That is an insult indicating that person is dipping into the business of others which does not concern him/her.

      Skerrit is nothing more than a little trying to impress people that he is recognized around the world. His experience in Belize, should have taught him a lesson. When he was in that boat, and the Cost Guard stopped them, and someone told the Coast Guard “the Dominica Prime Minister is aboard” ask him if he was recognized and free movement of passage was given to him?

      Instead they asked “who is he?” When Skerrit said “I am” they still put him through the scrutiny as a common visitor to their country. I was informed that sucker felt so humiliated he perhaps did not bother to attend the meeting. Big in Dominica, a nobody after he climes into LIAT Jets!

      • Ah responding to myself oui!

        Hhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

        Who is the prime minister?

        I am!

        Okay; so what?

        We still have to clear you as a visitor to our country, you are not any big shot here, you are god in Dominica, but here in Belize you are nothing boy!

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahhahah; That sucker mountain chicken crapo may have looked up into the sky held and wish he could have seen his LIAT jet coming to get him and fly him home to Dominica!

        You playing big boos-man eh; boy; you are big and heavy only in your village on that mountain, and in the rest of your primitive nature island!

        When I with my Belize friends we make jokes about that day Skerrit.

  29. %
    June 24, 2016

    Take the police from Marigot,which is DLPs South China Sea,and send them to lay claims to some of the islands too…Who listens to what our corrupt government,the most corrupt in the region,has to say…GO GIVE THE MARIGOT PEOPLE THEIR HOSPITAL…Evil and wicked DLP government…This gang that goes by the name government has enough filth and garbage to clean up at home, no transparency for passport sales,no tendering for bridge,no account on money collected after Erika,no account on what was signed in Macau just before Erika,etc,etc,etc,,,Before this government sticks out its fetid nose in international affairs, it must clean its filth on island first…..

  30. Shaka Zulu
    June 24, 2016

    Two pit bulls fighting then out from obscurity comes a malnorished chiwawa barking in a distance behind some zeb coupant.

    • john Paul
      June 24, 2016

      Ho Ho Ho ! Thatr is very funny but so true!

    • Erasmus B. Black
      June 24, 2016

      @ Shaka Zula: you just made my night! Ha! Ha! Ha!

    • Finally
      June 25, 2016

      True dat. Chiwawa trying to sound relevant.

    • Shameless
      June 25, 2016

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

      Always Assertive! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

    • Heartfelt
      June 26, 2016

      Hahaha. Lol. Irk?

  31. IamanIdiot
    June 24, 2016

    I’m not expert on these matters, im a simple bare foot man. However, just from observing that map, I dont get why china have to come right down there, and what our government supporting.

  32. dissident
    June 24, 2016

    We should be concerned with our own backyard!!
    Does bird island mean anything to us Dominicans at all?
    What can we gain from the south China sea except Chinese handouts!

    • Prophet
      June 24, 2016

      Thank you…We should be very much concerned about our own backyard…Case in point Bird Island…The issue is urgent because not only has Venezuela claimed Bird Island but it has also claimed half of the sea between Bird Island and Dominica.

      The Venezuelan Ambassador to Dominica should be told in diplomatic language that the Commonwealth of Dominica does not recognise Venezuela’s sovereignty over Bird Island nor does it recognise Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone imposed around the island in 1978.

      The establishment of on EEZ around Bird Island has caused serious problems to the territorial integrity of several OECS States, Dominica included.The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St.Lucia have already lodged complaints with the UN (Convention on the Law of the Sea) on this matter.

      The necessary legal framework should be put in place to incorporate Bird Island as a sovereign part of the Commonwealth of Dominica…..wake up Dominica ! OR have we muzzled ourselves with…

    • Political Correctness (PC) has its rewards!

      But I am afraid it will come back and collect its pound of flesh someday.

      There is always a price to pay for not being honest and straight forward because right is right and wrong is wrong.

      “Let your yay be yay and your nay be nay.” – St. Paul.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  33. FORKIT
    June 24, 2016

    DONKEY DOH HAVE PLACE IN HORSE RACE…

    plain and simple, china has amassed an arsenal of advanced weaponry systems and a billion man army, they are now the new bully sided by north Korea and Russia..

    • They are of one mind and one spirit.

      They are a Satanic force committed to radical communism and human rights.

      In spite of the fact that our missionaries were driven out of China at the time of the revolution Christianity is growing in the country. Today there are more believers in China than at any other time in its history.

      With their huge army and advanced weaponry it might appear they are to be feared. But they will be overcome by the power of the cross. Jesus will reign until HE has put all enemies under His feet. Then every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ.

      I invite you to visit our website http://www.livinghopeministries.ca

      Click onto SERMONS. Listen to my sermon THE NEW BIRTH.

      Click onto ARTICLES. Read my article THINGS THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

      • Second line should be

        “… … human rights violations.”

        Sorry! :oops:
        Don Hill

      • FORKIT
        June 27, 2016

        I read all that stuff already but more info. is never to much..
        thanks

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