Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo reported that China will respect Philippine sovereignty over the Benham Rise. The statement from Beijing was in response to the notes sent by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The acting foreign affairs secretary said, "China, first of all, reaffirmed that they recognize the sovereign rights of the Philippines over Benham Rise."
He added, "That was clearly stated and was also mentioned that they have no dispute with the Philippines over that area because they precisely our sovereign rights as was laid down in the decision of the United Nations Commission on Limits of Continental Shelf."
Although the reef is within the Philippines' territory, international naval ships can innocently pass by or conduct research on the Benham Rise without requesting approval from the government, according to Manalo.
In 2015 and 2016, China has sent requests to the Philippine government for permission to conduct research in the area, but they have been declined.
The refusal of the Philippine government was due to the ongoing territorial dispute and that China refused to engage Philippine representatives to go with the Chinese research team.
Manalo added that China made it clear that they respect the sovereign rights of the Philippines over the resource-rich area.
He said, "I would be very happy with the reply they say that they recognize we have sovereign rights over Benham Rise. It's quite clear that any time that they will seek to go to that area to explore they need our permission."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a press briefing that China will maintain good communication with the Philippine government, "including joint scientific research, with friendly countries like the Philippines, so as to bring benefits to people."
A proposition from the Philippine senate was laid out for a formation of a Benham Rise Development Authority needed to oversee coordination and communication regarding research on the fuel source on the 14.4-million-hectare underwater plateau.