China wants peaceful development - envoy

MANILA, Philippines - Despite unresolved territorial spats with its neighbors, China is determined to pursue peace and openness as it prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership change, Ambassador Ma Keqing said Tuesday.

“Before long, the Chinese Communist Party is about to convene her 18th National Congress. There is no doubt that China’s basic state policy of peaceful development and opening to the outside world will remain unchanged,” Ma said in a speech during a reception celebrating the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

“China will be all the more determined to go for peaceful development, follow the win-win strategy of opening up and implement the policy of good-neighborliness with neighboring countries,” she said.

During its 18th Congress, the Communist Party of China is expected to pick a new set of leaders including Vice President Xi Jinping and Vice Premier Li Keqiang to replace current leaders led by President Hu Jintao.

Ma admitted that “in the last few months, China-Philippines relations have encountered some difficulties” but that tensions have eased.

She cited as a positive development the recent meeting between Xi and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II on the sidelines of the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning City. President Aquino sent Roxas as special envoy to the trade fair.

“I wish joint efforts will be continued with the aim of overcoming current difficulties and bringing bilateral relations back to the track of normal development,” Ma said. “I believe this is in the interests of both sides and is conducive to the peace and stability of our region.”

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 37 years ago, China and the Philippines have immensely enjoyed the fruits of robust trade as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

“The Philippines is an important neighbor to China. Amicable interactions between the Chinese and Philippine people have forged affinity and kinship, which has withstood the test of history and time,” she said.

The ambassador said the past 63 years – particularly the past three decades – have been momentous for China as it has introduced reforms, including opening up the economy and enhancing cultural and social interactions with other nations. She also said China’s sustained development will redound to the benefit of other countries particularly its neighbors.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario, for her part, cited the Philippines’ more than 600 years of beneficial trade and social interaction with the Chinese.

“We are confident no matter what challenge we face, we will be working hand in hand with China. We will continue to be friends and neighbors,” Del Rosario said.

Philippine-China relations have soured as a result of the standoff at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. The standoff began in April when Chinese maritime surveillance ships arrived in the shoal to prevent Philippine authorities from arresting Chinese poachers on eight fishing boats. The poachers were able to slip away with their illegal harvest of giant clams, endangered corals and live sharks. But Chinese vessels have remained in the area since then. The Chinese have even roped off the area to keep Filipino fishermen at bay.

Panatag Shoal, also locally called Bajo de Masinloc, is only 124 nautical miles from Zambales and is within the country’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

China said its claim over Panatag has historical basis. It calls the shoal Huangyan Island.

Beijing wants to resolve its dispute with the Philippines through bilateral negotiations. The Philippines said the dispute should be resolved in an international forum, particularly before the United Nations.

Manila said its jurisdiction over Panatag is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Also present at Tuesday’s reception were Vice President Jejomar Binay, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former President Fidel Ramos, former first lady Imelda Marcos, former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas, Sen. Franklin Drilon, Sen. Loren Legarda, Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel of Akbayan party-list, Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas, and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe also attended the event. An ongoing territorial row over Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands has soured relations between China and Japan.