PHL wants ‘concrete actions’ amid Chinese leader’s vow against violence in resolving sea row  

Although the Philippines welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s commitment that China will not use force in resolving the South China Sea disputes, Manila said Beijing’s assurance should be matched by its actions.
 

“We welcome President Xi Jinping’s statement that China is committed to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes as we have consistently advocated the same,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose told a press briefing on Wednesday.

 

“This expression of commitment by the Chinese President, when coupled with concrete actions on the ground, will undoubtedly lead to an improved situation in the South China Sea. We welcome the statement, but it should be matched with the action,” Jose added, lamenting the continued Chinese presence and reclamation work in areas that fall within Philippine territory.

 

In his speech before the Australian Parliament after the G20 Summit, Xi said China rejects the use of force in advancing its claims in the disputed waters that is also being claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

 

Xi’s seemingly conciliatory tone was in contrast to the sharp statements previously issued by China against more aggressive claimants like the Philippines and Vietnam, which figured in violent confrontations with Chinese forces in the past.

 

China is claiming ownership of virtually the entire South China Sea, a major international trade route where huge gas and oil deposits have been discovered.

 

The overlapping claims have sparked occasional violence and is now regarded as a potential regional flashpoint for armed conflict.

 

Vietnam and the Philippines have separately accused China of incursions, harassing their fishermen and disrupting oil and gas exploration in areas they say are within its sovereign territories.

 

Manila has sued China before an international tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands to try to declare its massive claim illegal.

 

And despite efforts from both sides to calm tensions following a pull-aside meeting between Xi and President Benigno Aquino III at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing last week, Jose said the Philippines’ arbitration case against China will continue.

 

“We will pursue arbitration,” Jose said as he urged China anew to participate in the legal proceedings.

 

“It will give them the opportunity to clarify the basis of their claim, but with or without China, the case that we filed will proceed,” he added.

 

The Philippines, whose ill-equipped military is no match to China’s had sought assistance from the US to bolster its defense capability.

 

Last April, the two allies signed a 10-year renewable defense accord that will enhance their military engagement while giving greater access to American forces in the country. — RSJ, GMA News