Phl hopes to build mutual trust with new Chinese leadership

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines will continue to “seek all opportunities to help build a climate of mutual trust and cooperation” with China following the formal assumption of Xi Jinping as its new president.

In a statement extending “sincere congratulations” to the newly installed Chinese leader, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Philippines is one with the people of China in welcoming Xi’s presidency.

“The People’s Republic of China views this as an auspicious moment as they work towards their prosperity and stability. This is a sentiment shared by all peoples of good will, who look forward to opportunities for positive engagement fortified by trust, good will, and cooperation, for the mutual benefit of all peoples in our region and around the world,” Lacierda said.

“We will seek all opportunities to help build a climate of mutual trust and cooperation to enhance stability in our region so that the positive economic momentum of our respective nations may be sustained,” Lacierda said.

Xi assumed the presidency after getting a majority of the votes in the 18th National People’s Congress held Thursday in Beijing and his election as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission.

The Philippines is currently locked in a territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea but has been working to explore areas of cooperation such as tourism, trade and investment.

The Philippines filed an arbitration case before the United Nations last January to formally object to China’s nine-dash theory that virtually lays claim to the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has sent to China a Notification and Statement of Claim that challenges before the Arbitral Tribunal the validity of China’s nine-dash line.

The DFA also asked China to desist from unlawful activities that violate the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

China has rejected the note and asked the Philippines to return to bilateral negotiations to resolve the dispute.

The DFA, however, said China’s action “will not interfere with the process of arbitration initiated by the Philippines” and that it “will proceed under Annex 7 of UNCLOS and the five-member arbitration panel will be formed with or without China.”