China and Philippines "look forward" to talks on disputes: Ramos

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 12): China and Philippines "look forward" to talks on disputes: Ramos

Former Philippine president and special envoy Fidel Ramos said Friday, following rounds of unofficial meeting with Chinese officials this week, that both Beijing and Manila want to hold formal discussions over maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

According to a joint press statement signed by Ramos and Fu Ying, China's vice foreign minister, both sides agreed on the "need to engage in further talks to build trust and confidence to reduce tensions," while China welcomed Ramos to visit Beijing as special envoy and Ramos expressed the Philippines' desire to hold formal discussions with China at "the appropriate time".

"They reiterated that they were pleased with the discussions and looked forward to the beginning of a process of formal discussions which will be continued in Beijing and Manila and other possible venues," the statement read.

The Philippine delegation met with Fu and Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, whom Ramos said he wanted to meet, in Hong Kong on Wednesday and Thursday.

"I hope that there is a phase two coming up," Ramos, 88, told the press at the Philippine consulate general office. "As to where this will take place, we don't know yet. We have to go back to Manila to find out what are the latest developments on the official side. There is some current activity ongoing at that level."

Both sides have explored issues, including maritime preservation, avoiding tension, promoting fishing cooperation, tourism opportunities and anti-crime cooperation, the statement read.

In a case brought by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 12 rejected China's expansive claim to much of the South China Sea as having no legal basis.

It also said China has violated the Philippines' sovereign rights in the latter's exclusive economic zone, in part by pursuing large-scale land reclamation and the construction of artificial islands.

China rejected the ruling as invalid and demanded that the Philippines not make it a precondition for bilateral talks.

"There was no mention of the ruling, but that is, I suppose, something for the future," Ramos said.

"There was no discussion on that particular aspect, except to mention equal fishing rights," he added, regarding the sovereignty of disputed territory.

Ramos added that President Rodrigo Duterte will decide on whether to send other envoys to future meetings with Beijing, because his appointment was on a "one time basis", and the appropriate time to meet with China could be during upcoming ministerial meetings or leadership summits.

Commenting on what he described as an "ice-breaking" mission, Ramos said it is "not really a breakthrough, in the sense that there is no ice here in Hong Kong to break."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=913116