By Sara Susanne D.
THE Philippines will maintain a “positive, peaceful and stable relationship” with China despite the tension between them in the West Philippine Sea, but urged Beijing to respect Manila’s maritime territory, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a speech released on Tuesday.
“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,” del Rosario said during the 2nd Annual Dinner of the United States-Philippine Society in New York.
“We maintain that our disputes in the West Philippine Sea are not the sum total of our relations.”
But Del Rosario urged China to treat all nations, including the Philippines, “with respect for equality and sovereignty”.
He said that, as China became stronger and more powerful, the Philippines hoped it would become a more “responsible state and a positive force in the region”.
“To be viewed as a responsible state, China must adhere to and respect the rule of law,” Del Rosario said.
Earlier, during the 64th celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing urged the Philippines to work with them to “remove the existing obstacle” so it could create an atmosphere for better diplomatic relations.
When asked about Foreign Affairs’ reaction to Ma’s its spokesman Raul Hernandez answered: “We extend our warmest greetings to the People’s Republic of China on its 64th national day celebration. Thanks.”
Tensions in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea had always been present, but it wasn’t until April last year when the row between Manila and Beijing became intense over the Scarborough Shoal.
An agreement was reached for both countries to leave the shoal, but it was only the Filipino-manned vessels who adhered to that agreement.
THE Philippines will maintain a “positive, peaceful and stable relationship” with China despite the tension between them in the West Philippine Sea, but urged Beijing to respect Manila’s maritime territory, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said in a speech released on Tuesday.
“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,” del Rosario said during the 2nd Annual Dinner of the United States-Philippine Society in New York.
“We maintain that our disputes in the West Philippine Sea are not the sum total of our relations.”
But Del Rosario urged China to treat all nations, including the Philippines, “with respect for equality and sovereignty”.
He said that, as China became stronger and more powerful, the Philippines hoped it would become a more “responsible state and a positive force in the region”.
“To be viewed as a responsible state, China must adhere to and respect the rule of law,” Del Rosario said.
Earlier, during the 64th celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing urged the Philippines to work with them to “remove the existing obstacle” so it could create an atmosphere for better diplomatic relations.
When asked about Foreign Affairs’ reaction to Ma’s its spokesman Raul Hernandez answered: “We extend our warmest greetings to the People’s Republic of China on its 64th national day celebration. Thanks.”
Tensions in the resource-rich West Philippine Sea had always been present, but it wasn’t until April last year when the row between Manila and Beijing became intense over the Scarborough Shoal.
An agreement was reached for both countries to leave the shoal, but it was only the Filipino-manned vessels who adhered to that agreement.
The Chinese vessels stayed and were reported in the process of building facilities there.
Beijing has since controlled the reef, which is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Beijing has since controlled the reef, which is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
Beijing has been claiming the whole West Philippine Sea based on its nine-dash-line map.
“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,” Del Rosario said.
“China’s continuous and overwhelming naval and maritime presence in the area is also contributing to the rising regional tensions,” he said.
China’s excessive claims pushed the Philippines to bring its dispute with China before the Arbitral Tribunal.
Del Rosario said that, before they brought their case before the Arbitral Tribunal, the Philippines had undertaken many efforts to peacefully engage China to settle their disputes.
“However, these were unsuccessful,” Del Rosario said.
“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,” Del Rosario said.
“China’s continuous and overwhelming naval and maritime presence in the area is also contributing to the rising regional tensions,” he said.
China’s excessive claims pushed the Philippines to bring its dispute with China before the Arbitral Tribunal.
Del Rosario said that, before they brought their case before the Arbitral Tribunal, the Philippines had undertaken many efforts to peacefully engage China to settle their disputes.
“However, these were unsuccessful,” Del Rosario said.
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