CHINESE Ambassador Ma Keqing on Wednesday night suggested that the Philippines meet China halfway in their current standoff at the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), saying the two countries are close neighbors, whose friendship dates back thousands of years.
“We hope the Philippine side can meet the Chinese side halfway, properly handle [their] differences through dialogue and consultation, jointly promote cooperation in investment, trade, tourism, agriculture and other areas and enhance exchanges and friendship between the two people,” she said in a speech at the 109th anniversary of the Filipino-Chinese General Chambers of Commerce.
She said China and the Philippines are highly complementary in economy and that the Chinese are convinced “that as long as we follow the general trend of regional development and work together, we will certainly be able to seize the opportunity to achieve mutual benefits and win results.”
She said although the current bilateral relation is compounded with some setback owing to maritime disputes, “this situation is temporary and the current tension is but a small part of the overall relations.”
“Nevertheless, we should carefully and appropriately handle the situation.”
Ma said the Chinese government attaches great importance to developing friendly relations with the Philippines and this policy has not changed.
The Philippines brought China before the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal, accusing it of excessive claims to the South China Sea after Chinese ships encroached on Bajo de Masinloc (Scraborough Shoal) and is now trying to claim Ayungin Shoal, all parts of the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
Last month Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario accused China of a “massive military buildup” on the disputed South China Sea warning a Southeast Asian security forum that Beijing’s tactics were a threat to peace in the region.
Speaking at the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) ministerial meeting in Brunei Darussalam, del Rosario said China’s “increasing militarization” of two shoals in the South China Sea was a violation of the Declaration of Conduct in the sea that the 10 members of the bloc signed with Beijing in 2002, agreeing not to cause tensions in the area.
Following the harsh rhetoric, China agreed to hold formal talks with the Asean in September on a proposed code of conduct to ease tensions on the South China Sea.
Guests during the event include Vice President Jejomar Binay, who sat beside Ma in the presidential table.
The two had earlier exchanged greetings when they were introduced to each other by the host, but remained formal during the occasion.
Binay left the party shortly after delivering his welcome remarks and did not wait for dinner.
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