MANILA - The Philippines is set to follow
the initiative of Vietnam in refusing to stamp its visas on the
controversial Chinese e-passport, which bears a map inclusive of the
area that is supposedly part of the Philippine territory and maritime
domain.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that its
latest decision is part of 
the effort to underscore the country's
protest against the inclusion of the nine-dash line map in the Chinese
e-passport.
the effort to underscore the country's
protest against the inclusion of the nine-dash line map in the Chinese
e-passport.
"This action is being undertaken to avoid the Philippines being
misconstrued as legitimizing the nine-dash line every time a Philippine
visa is stamped on such Chinese 
e-passport," said the DFA.Instead, the DFA said, the Philippine government will stamp its visas on a separate visa application form.
e-passport," said the DFA.Instead, the DFA said, the Philippine government will stamp its visas on a separate visa application form.
"We are preparing for an early implementation of the aforementioned action," the agency added.
China's new passports have stirred up existing territorial disputes
between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors including India. The map
also features disputed areas with the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan,
Brunei and Malaysia.
The Philippines had already sent a note verbale to the Chinese
government protesting the inclusion of the Philippine territory in its
passport's new design.
According to the DFA, the move to stop visa 
stamping on the Chinese e-passport only "reinforces" the said protest.
stamping on the Chinese e-passport only "reinforces" the said protest.
"The Philippines views said expansive nine-dash claim as inconsistent
with international law, specifically Unclos (United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea)," said the DFA.
Earlier, Vietnam announced its decision not to stamp the travel
documents of incoming Chinese nationals bearing the controversial map.
Source: Agency
Post a Comment