China renews warning against unilateral action in Spratlys

MANILA, Philippines - China yesterday reiterated its warning against taking unilateral action in the disputed Spratly Islands as the Philippines maintained that oil and gas exploration near the Reed Bank is non-negotiable.

Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing said that China and other claimant-countries cannot compromise sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Sovereignty of each country is the issue and so is territorial integrity. I think no government can make it compromise so the only way is to negotiate with each other peacefully and sit down to talk and to find if there is any convergence on which we can find a way,” Ma said in a press conference.

Ma said China is willing to negotiate and find a solution to the dispute.

“So the thinking is finding the final solution to this issue and have a joint cooperation, because the resources are there to tap and economic development both for China and the Philippines and other countries,” Ma said. “So why not use natural resources there? But since this is under disputed area, no one can take action unilaterally, so joint cooperation is the proper way to go. That is the starting point to solve differen- ces on the issue of dispute.”

Ma said China is guided by patience and wisdom to finally find a way to start negotiation.

The Philippines had earlier announced its plan to invite foreign investors to participate in the oil and gas exploration in the area near Reed Bank.

China had demanded the Philippines not conduct the planned exploration, saying the areas are under Chinese jurisdiction.

The ambassador also explained that China is not evading the rules-based regime of the United Nations on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and interpretation of the dispute as basis for resolving conflicting claims.

The Philippines “invited” China in validating the two countries’ territorial claims under the UNCLOS to finally settle the disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippines is prepared to validate the country’s claims under UNCLOS.

“We are not against the rules-based interpretation of the dispute,” Ma said.

“I think there are more international norms than a certain treaty, so even upholding this treaty we can find the argument to support China’s argument and stand. It may be a little misunderstanding that China is not bound by the international norms and resort to historical facts. Historical facts are very important argument for China but there are also some international norms which support China’s principles,” she added.

The Philippines also underscored the importance of the rule of law and pressed strongly for a rules-based regime in the West Philippine Sea during the General Debate of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly.