China ‘feels’ int’l pressure over maritime row

STRONG world opinion against China’s occupation and reclamation of areas in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) may have softened Beijing’s hardline stance on its maritime and territorial disputes with neighboring countries, including the Philippines.

“The most glaring reality is that we are not alone, and because of that, the options are increasing from countries who believe in the rule of law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters in Malacañang on Thursday.