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Archipelagic Principle Two elements: 1. The definition of internal waters (supra); 2.

The straight baseline method of delineating the territorial sea consists of drawing straight lines connecting the outermost points on the coast without departing to any appreciable extent from the general direction of the coast. Important distances with respect to the waters around the Philippines -Territorial Sea 12 nautical miles (n.m.) -Contiguous Zone 12 n.m. from the edge of the territorial sea -Exclusive Economic Zone 200 n.m. from the baseline [includes T.S. and C.Z.] NOTE: There can be a Continental Shelf without an EEZ, but not an EEZ without a Continental Shelf. Territorial Sea The belt of the sea located between the coast and internal waters of the coastal state on the one hand, and the high seas on the other, extending up to 12 nautical miles from the low water mark. Contiguous Zone It extends up to 12 nautical miles from the territorial sea. Although not part of the territory, the coastal State may exercise jurisdiction to prevent infringement of customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws. Exclusive Economic Zone Body of water extending up to 200 nautical miles, within which the state may exercise sovereign rights to explore, exploit, conserve and manage the natural resources The state in the EEZ exercises jurisdiction with regard to:

1. The establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; 2. Marine scientific research; 3. The protection and preservation of marine environment Based on the above statement released in the official website of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, it is clear that the Government of China does not consider or recognize the Philippines as an Archipelagic State which was affirmed by the UNCLOS on 1982 in Jamaica. They based their territorial claims primarily on historical bases. From that statement, they did not even discussed the EEZ, ECS and etc.

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