The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday said China's concern over the joint statement of Southeast Asian countries on the tension in the South China Sea should be taken positively.
In an interview with reporters, AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala said China's concern shows that it takes into consideration "the voice" of Southeast Asian countries.
"That's a good sign [dahil] mayroon silang deep concern on the one voice of the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations]," Kakilala said.
Kakilala said this after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China was "extremely concerned" over the ASEAN statement, which was made after a summit this week in Kuala Lumpur, about the land reclamation and navigational freedom in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
"On this issue China has exercised extreme restraint," Hong said, repeating that China believed the dispute should be resolved via direct talks between the claimants.
There were no problems with freedom of navigation in the waters, Hong told a daily news briefing.
'Not fighting alone'
Meanwhile, Kakilala said as long as members of ASEAN remain united, it would be a "strong voice" against the China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
"The 10 member states is already a strong voice against the assertiveness ng China," he said. " I do hope na China will respect ASEAN calling for them to adhere to peaceful rules-based approach in settling the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea."
China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas, with overlapping claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
Recent satellite images show China has made rapid progress in building an airstrip suitable for military use in the Spratly Islands and may be planning another.
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