Fishermen’s group Pamalakaya holds a protest outside Chinese Consulate office in Makati City on Friday to denounce the Chinese Navy’s action prohibiting Filipino fishermen in contested waters in the Spratly Islands. The United Nations arbitration court will hear the Philippines’ claim next week in The Hague, the Netherlands. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine government on Tuesday rejected the Chinese ambassador’s fresh offer to hold bilateral talks to settle the territorial dispute between the two countries over resource-rich parts of the South China Sea.
At a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Philippine government is firm on pursuing a multilateral approach to the sea row, particularly through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“Hinggil naman sa napaulat na panukalang bilateral talks, malinaw ang posisyon ng Pilipinas: kailangang kilalanin ang prinsipyo ng ASEAN Centrality dahil sa Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea sa pagitan ng China at sa mga kasapi ng ASEAN,” Coloma told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
The Palace official was referring to a non-binding document signed by ASEAN member-states and China stipulating how territorial disputes over parts of the South China Sea should be resolved.
The same document, however, is being used by China to insist that its territorial row with the Philippines should be settled through negotiations.
Coloma further said that the Philippines will continue pushing for a legally binding Code of Conduct on the South China Sea between the ASEAN and China.
On Monday, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said “the best way” to settle the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines is through resuming bilateral negotions “without any condition.”
Zhao also said that the China’s door for direct talks with the Philippines “is still open and will be open forever.”
The Chinese envoy made these remarks as the Philippines prepares to present its case against China before the five-member Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands. The court will first determine if it has jurisdiction over the case.
By seeking international arbitration, Manila is challenging China’s massive, historic claim on almost the entire South China Sea using the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The UNCLOS is a treaty signed by over 160 countries, including China and the Philippines, defining nations’ rights to use the world’s oceans.
Despite the territorial row between the two countries, Coloma maintained that bilateral ties between the Philippines and China continue to remain strong.
“Ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng dalawang bansa ay hindi naaayon lamang sa usapin ng West Philippine Sea. Patuloy ang pagpapasigla ng people-to-people programs sa maraming larangan tulad ng edukasyon at kultura at kooperasyong pangkabuhayan,” he said.
The Palace official refused to comment when asked if the government views the Chinese envoy’s offer for bilateral talks as an indication that Beijing is worried about the arbitration case filed by the Philippines. (MNS)