BEYOND TENSION | PH keeps 'positive' ties with China, but asks for respect of territory

From InterAksyon (Oct 1): BEYOND TENSION | PH keeps 'positive' ties with China, but asks for respect of territory

Continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea notwithstanding, the Philippines maintains a “positive, peaceful and stable relationship” with China but strongly urges it to respect its neighbor's maritime territory, according to the country's top diplomat.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario reiterated, in a speech released Tuesday, the commitment made by President Benigno Aquino III with then Chinese president Hu Jintao in 2011 that the Philippines would not let maritime disputes disrupt the broader framework of friendship and cooperation between the Asian neighbors.

At the 2nd Annual Dinner of the United States-Philippine Society in New York, del Rosario said, “I wish to stress that the Philippines is committed to undertake all that is possible to cultivate constructive relations with China in spite of these issues in the West Philippine Sea.”

After all, del Rosario added, “our disputes in the West Philippine Sea are not the sum total of our relations.”

At the same time, the DFA chief urged China to also treat all nations, including the Philippines, “with respect for equality and sovereignty”.

As China becomes stronger and more powerful, the Philippines is hoping it emerges as a more “responsible state and a positive force in the region”. But, stressed the DFA chief, "China must adhere to and respect the rule of law,” for it to be viewed as a responsible state.

Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing had earlier urged the Philippines to work with them to “remove the existing obstacle” so it could create atmosphere for both diplomatic relations. She was speaking at the 64th celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The two countries have a territorial dispute over the South China Sea, which China claims in its entirety, citing historical bases; and which the Philippines and four others claim in part. Beijing bases its claim over the entire South China Sea on its so-called nine-dash-line ancient map.

Manila calls it West Philippine Sea, and has elevated its complaint of Chinese encroachments to a UN arbitral tribunal.

Tension grew between the two Asian neighbors in April 2012 when Chinese military vessels blocked a Philippine Navy boat from apprehending poachers in the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Masinloc, Zambales. The standoff lasted for weeks, drawing international concern. A shuttling of diplomats resulted in an agreement for both sides to pull out ships from the area, but as it turned out, only Manila did.  The Chinese have since been seen as in de facto occupation of a huge part of the area.

Chinese vessels are reportedly now in the process of constructing facilities. Beijing virtually controls the reef, which is located within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

 “The core issue of the dispute is China’s claim of indisputable sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea under its nine dash line position. This claim is expansive, excessive, and in gross violation of international law, specifically UNCLOS [United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea],” del Rosario said.

“China's continuous overwhelming naval and maritime presence in the area is also contributing to the rising of regional tensions,” the DFA chief stressed.

Before Manila brought its case before the Arbitral Tribunal, the Philippines had undertaken many efforts to peacefully engage China and settle these disputes, noted del Rosario.

“However, these were unsuccessful. The Philippines had exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful negotiated settlement of its maritime dispute with China. Our last resort was to utilize the legal track towards the resolution of disputes,” he said.

China declared its intent to boycott the proceedings, as it maintained that the issue West Philippine Sea is an undisputable territorial issue.

The Arbitral Tribunal has started moving and asked the Philippines to submit its Memorial by March 30, 2014.

The Memorial will address issues such as the jurisdiction of the Tribunal and the merits of the case.

The Arbitral Tribunal "has adopted the rules of procedure and decided that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague shall act as the Registry in the proceedings,” del Rosario said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/71883/beyond-tension--ph-keeps-positive-ties-with-china-but-asks-for-respect-of-territory