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Manila Protesters Demand China Withdraw Sea Claim


Philippine activists gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Thursday to demand Beijing withdraw its claims to disputed areas of the South China Sea.

Dozens of protesters took part in the peaceful demonstration, which came on the 116th anniversary of the Philippines' independence from Spain.

One demonstrator, Marivie dela Fuente, said China's so-called "nine-dash line" claims in the South China Sea infringe on the Philippines' sovereignty. "Get out of my country, China. Nobody likes you. The world hates you, China. Get out. Stay within your borders. The nine-dash line is a farce. The nine-dash line is nothing but something you made up. Go away, China. Go away."

China and the Philippines both claim territory in the resource-rich and strategic South China Sea, which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines earlier this year challenged the legality of China's claims to an international tribunal in The Hague. Beijing was angered by the move and has refused to participate in the case.

Beijing claims nearly all of the 2.5-million square kilometer South China Sea, putting it at odds with the claims of the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Material from Reuters was used in this report.
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