UK: Asia Silk Road needs no toll operator

MANILA, Philippines - Amid fresh calls for China to exercise restraint in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, the United Kingdom has stressed the need by nations concerned to maintain freedom of navigation in the region and to resolve territorial disputes through legal means.

British Ambassador Asif Ahmad noted that freedom of navigation and trade by land, sea or air have always been possible even without any “security architecture.”

“We hear from the Chinese ambassador and he talks about things like the Maritime Silk Road. At one level, we all recognize China’s great economic might. It’s a great power and should exercise that responsibly,” Ahmad told The STAR in an interview Wednesday afternoon.

“There are many good things that have come from China and we want that to continue. But in our view, the Maritime Silk Road does not require sentries or toll gate operators,” he added.

The so-called Maritime Silk Road proposed by China harks back to an ancient land-based trade route that spans through Southeast Asia to Venice via South Asia, Africa and Middle East.

The modern-day Maritime Silk Road, Chinese officials said, would serve the same purpose – of boosting regional trade and creating new opportunities for infrastructure and resources.

China floated the idea of creating a new economic belt amid its ongoing territorial dispute with its smaller neighbors, particularly the Philippines and Vietnam.

Experts believe the dispute would impact heavily on regional trade if left unresolved.

The Asian superpower is claiming almost 90 percent of the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims over some islets, shoals, reefs and other land forms in the region.

China has been occupying disputed areas to assert its claim in the potentially oil and gas-rich area. Concerns have been raised over the possible impact of China’s actions on freedom of navigation.

Quick action needed

Commander Angus Essenhigh, who oversees Asia Pacific at the UK Ministry of Defense International Policy and Planning section, said the disputes should be addressed through legal means.

“The UK position on the South China Sea is clearly we wouldn’t take any position on sovereignty and we request everyone to negotiate this through legal mechanisms, making sure we de-escalate the situation,” Essenhigh said.

“As a nation we all see Southeast Asia growing as the engine of global economy and we wish it to continue to be so,” he added.

Ahmad said the United Kingdom supports the Philippines’ move to bring its territorial row with China to an international arbitral tribunal.

He said China should not create “new facts” on the ground as this could raise concerns and questions.

“We’re simply saying you should not build new facts on the ground without any clear basis for doing so,” the British diplomat said.

China has constructed a garrison in Panganiban (Mischief) Reef off Palawan and has deployed ships in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales, both within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

It has also set up a blockade around Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, where BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded ship serving as Philippine military detachment, is located.

Previous reports said China is fast-tracking construction activities on Mabini (Johnson South), Calderon (Cuarteron) and Burgos (Gaven) reefs.

China is also planning to build an artificial island on Fiery Cross Reef, an area locally known as Kagitingan Reef. – Delon Porcalla, Jaime Laude