Maniolas

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, left, Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, center, and Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., pose for a photo during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, Monday, July 25, 2016. AP VIENTIANE, Laos — Asean foreign ministers on Monday reaffirmed the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and the importance of non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities, but made no mention of a recent ruling by an arbitration tribunal on the disputed waters. READ: ASEAN split on how to deal with China in South China Sea row “We…took note of the concerns expressed by some Ministers on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region,’’ the foreign ministers said in a joint communique issued after their discussions in Vientiane. “We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and over – flight above the South China Sea. We further reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the ministers said. They also stressed “the importance of non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of all activities, including land reclamation that could further Read More …

People walk in front of a reproduction of the Eiffel tower at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Le Bourget, outside Paris, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. AP FILE PHOTO As the United Nations announced plans to fast-track ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change, President Duterte said he would not honor the country’s “crazy” commitment to severely cut greenhouse-gas emission, as it would limit industrial growth. Poor countries such as the Philippines should be allowed to pursue industrialization to improve the lives of their people, Duterte said in a series of speeches during a visit to Mindanao on Friday. “If you will not allow us to reach parity, [while industrialized countries] are already there and we are still here, then I’m saying that’s crazy. I will not agree to that,” Duterte said, adding that he “plans to put up industrial zones everywhere,” with China as an “easy market” for such a move. Congress, he said, is already reviewing the treaty. The international deal aimed at curbing emissions was signed in Paris in December last year, but only 19 countries, including France and island-states threatened by rising sea levels, have so far ratified the agreement. It cannot become effective until 55 countries accounting for 55 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions have fully approved it. Vulnerable “There is no treaty to honor. We have not signed the treaty,” Duterte said, according to transcripts of his comments released by Malacañang yesterday. The reversal in the country’s position on the treaty drew Read More …

VIENTIANE—Staunch China ally Cambodia is preventing Southeast Asia from reaching a consensus on the South China Sea after an international tribunal rejected Beijing’s territorial claims to the waters, a diplomat said on Saturday. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is meeting in Laos for the first time since the United Nations-backed tribunal ruled earlier this month that China did not have historic rights to vast swathes of the strategic sea. The issue is expected to overshadow the summit, with several of the 10 member states also claiming territory in the contested waters. China invests heavily across Asean but is accused of trying to divide the bloc by habitually offering aid, soft loans and diplomatic support to key allies Laos and Cambodia. A Southeast Asian diplomat told Agence France-Presse on Saturday that only Cambodia was standing in the way of a joint statement on the waters. “It’s very grave. Cambodia just opposes almost everything, even reference to respect for legal and diplomatic processes which already had been said in previous statements,” the diplomat said. A draft of the communique obtained by AFP showed the section titled “South China Sea” currently blank. Communist-ruled Laos has close links to Beijing and has also been accused of preventing a united front on the South China Sea issue. But diplomats note that as the chair of Asean this year, Laos is trying to see a statement produced even if it is watered down. “It does not need to take sides because even if only Read More …

Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan. FACEBOOK PHOTO CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao—If former President Fidel Ramos declines President Duterte’s offer to lead the Philippines’ talks with Beijing over the South China Sea dispute, then maybe Ramos’ interior secretary could be up for the job. Mr. Duterte yesterday said he was considering former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan as the country’s envoy to talks with China if Ramos rejects the offer. Mr. Duterte indicated that he was set to talk with Ramos today to discuss his offer. Ramos earlier expressed concern that he may be too old for the job. Alunan, he noted, was also a colonel in the reserve force. “He knows his business,” he added. But Alunan also ran and lost for senator in the May 2016 elections. There is a one year ban on losing candidates being appointed to the government. The Philippines is set to pursue bilateral talks with China after it successfully challenged Beijing’s claim to almost the whole of the South China Sea. Acting on the Philippines’ petition, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s claim has no basis. Latest China divide and rule splits Asean Carpio calls on Filipinos to unite Lights, camera, action: Cannes winner directs Du30’s 1st Sona Duterte ready to give BBL to MILF Recommended Disclaimer: Comments do not represent the views of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments which are inconsistent with our editorial standards. FULL DISCLAIMER View Comments For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, Read More …