PH questions China's ten-dash line map in SCS dispute

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippines questions China's ten-dash line map as a basis for South China Sea dispute discussions, as it is not recognized internationally.

He asserted that the Philippines' maritime and land territories are well-established and that China has intruded upon the country's economic zone.

Marcos emphasized his constitutional duty to defend the Philippines' territory and stated that the country will continue to do so amid China's incursions.

He noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent call on China's armed forces to coordinate for possible military conflicts at sea is a consistent policy of China for the past two to three years.

Marcos expressed eagerness to meet with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on March 19 to discuss trilateral cooperation among the Philippines, Japan, and the US amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.