China on Monday pushed anew for more efforts to increase "mutual trust and cooperation" with concerned parties having territorial disputes with it in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) area. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the call after a Philippine-proposed meeting in Manila among four Southeast Asian claimants to the disputed seas was postponed. "China hopes the concerned parties take regional peace and stability as a priority and generate more efforts to increase mutual trust and cooperation," he said at a press conference Monday, according to a report posted on the Chinese government's web portal.
Last Friday, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs cited "scheduling problems" in postponing a proposed Philippine meeting this month among four Southeast Asian claimants to the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea. DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei agreed to set the meeting at a later date.
Aside from the four claimants, China and Taiwan also lay claim to the Spratlys. China prefers to negotiate one on one with other claimants, which would give it advantage because of its size.
On Monday, Hong said China had noted the delay, but maintained China holds a "clear and consistent" position on the issue—that relevant disputes should be resolved through consultation and negotiation in a bilateral framework. He added this position, which is stated in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), has been agreed upon by all other nations who signed it.
On Monday, Hong said China had noted the delay, but maintained China holds a "clear and consistent" position on the issue—that relevant disputes should be resolved through consultation and negotiation in a bilateral framework. He added this position, which is stated in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), has been agreed upon by all other nations who signed it.
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