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Written question asked by Matthew Offord (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 April 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 April 2019. It was answered by Mark Field (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 April 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Spratly Islands: Military Bases

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whatt assessment has the Department made of the legality United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS) of the construction of bases in the Spratly Islands including as Mischief (Panganiban) Reef, Subi (Zamora) Reef and Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) Reef.

Answer

We take no sides in the sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea. But we are deeply committed to international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and upholding existing arbitrations.

We are therefore concerned by the militarisation of disputed features and any threat or implied threat of force. We monitor the situation and oppose any action which changes the facts on the ground, raises tensions or hinders the chance of peaceful settlement of the disputes.

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Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
243407
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Construction Military bases UN Convention on the Law of the Sea Spratly Islands
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk