BEIJING -- An expert from Renmin University said the South China Sea can be a “sea of cooperation” for the Philippines and China as the two countries have established political trust under the leaderships of President Rodrigo Duterte and President Xi Jinping.
In his column in ChinaDaily on Wednesday, Renmin University Director of the Institute of International Affairs Wang Yiwei said Manila and Beijing can strengthen cooperation in the South China Sea in terms of marine technology.
“[T]he two countries could use the opportunity to foster and increase maritime cooperation given that the Philippines is short of marine technology to develop its marine economy despite having rich marine resources, while China has developed advanced technologies,” said Wang.
“In this way, conflict could be transformed into opportunity and the South China Sea turned into a sea of cooperation and friendship,” he added.
He noted that since the Duterte administration took office in June 2016, the two countries have expanded and deepened cooperation in anti-terrorism and security, apart from economic and trade cooperation.
Wang said the China-led Belt and Road Initiative presents more opportunities for cooperation between Manila and Beijing, particularly in the infrastructure and construction sector.
He added that as soon as the South China Sea Code of Conduct will be concluded, tensions in the disputed waters can be prevented so that the parties involved can focus more on cooperation than maritime conflict.
Meanwhile, Duterte is expected to arrive in Beijing this evening for his fifth visit to China since June 2016. The Chief Executive will have bilateral meetings with Xi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
He will also attend the kick-off game of Gilas Pilipinas, the country’s national basketball team, for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in Guangdong Province.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078896
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