Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated that the Philippines anticipates a protracted struggle with China over the South China Sea disputes. The Philippines says it hopes to prevent China from further encroaching on the relevant waters and opposes the continued construction of artificial islands in the disputed areas.

Statement at the Shangri-La Dialogue

Teodoro made the remarks during an interview with CNBC on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. He said that maritime tensions between the Philippines and China are escalating and the disputes will not end anytime soon.

South China Sea disputes continue to escalate

The South China Sea has long been a subject of sovereignty and maritime rights disputes. China claims rights to most of the South China Sea, some of which overlap with the exclusive economic zones claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

The report noted that in recent years, China has continued construction near some shoals and islands to reinforce its claims. Teodoro stated that China's expansionist activities are ongoing and show no signs of stopping.

The Philippines reiterated its maritime claims.

Teodoro stated that the disputed waters are part of the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. As an archipelago nation comprised of more than 7,600 islands, the Philippines will continue to rely on these marine resources while also facing pressures from population and climate change.

He also stated that the Philippines had previously attempted to resolve the dispute through negotiations and had initiated arbitration on the relevant issues in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The goal is to prevent further progress.

When asked what outcome the Philippines hoped to see, Teodoro said the Philippines hoped to prevent China from making further advances in the relevant waters and to stop the construction of new artificial islands.