Phl, China stand firm on territorial claims

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines and China are standing firm on their respective positions on maritime territorial disputes but are committed to keeping peace in the region and improving bilateral relations.

This was stressed by delegates of the two countries to the 19th Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) in Beijing held last June 14.

In the meeting, Philippine and Chinese representatives discussed developments in bilateral relations between the two countries, and how they could further strengthen cooperation in trade, defense and security, socio-cultural and people-to-people exchanges, among others.

The officials also witnessed the Exchange of Instruments of Ratification of the Philippines-China Consular Agreement. This clarifies procedures and defines time frames to better protect and provide assistance to Filipino and Chinese nationals in each other’s country.

Foreign Affairs Under-secretary for policy Evan Garcia and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin led the Philippine and Chinese delegations, respectively.

The foreign ministry consultations were followed by a courtesy call by the Philippine delegation, led by Garcia, on Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

In the same event, the two sides stressed the need to promote mutual trust as well as cooperation in achieving goals beneficial to both countries.

Manila also strongly asked China to refrain from dictating what actions the Philippines can exercise within its own maritime domain.

Last month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the rotation as well as positioning of soldiers in disputed areas held by the Philippines - particularly in Ayungin Shoal - should not be questioned by China because such moves were part of Manila’s sovereign and humanitarian duties.

The DFA issued the statement following Chinese ambassador Ma Keqing’s raising concerns before Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin over Manila’s setting up of structures in Ayungin Shoal.

“The Philippines exercises jurisdiction and sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf (CS) in the West Philippine Sea and has all the right to undertake lawful activities within its maritime domain without any interference or objection by any other state,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

“China is not in a position to dictate on what the Philippines can do within its maritime domain,” Hernandez said. The DFA also urged China to withdraw and leave the Philippines EEZ and continental shelf.