China and RP try to reduce tensions in Spratlys rift
China and RP try to reduce tensions in Spratlys rift
KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The leaders of China and the Philippines gave their support on Tuesday to a plan designed to reduce tensions caused by their dispute over a reef in the South China Sea.
Philippine President Joseph Estrada said he and Chinese President Jiang Zemin agreed to settle the dispute peacefully, and endorsed a proposal to form a group of experts who will work on finding ways to build confidence between the two nations.
Estrada's spokesman, Jerry Barican, said the leaders also agreed that natural resources in the area of Mischief Reef should be used jointly by the two nations.
With those two agreements, "we are confident the problem at Mischief Reef can be solved diplomatically," Barican said.
Earlier this month, Manila lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing over the construction of various buildings on the reef which the Philippines believes could be used militarily. The reef is part of the disputed Spratly Island group.
China says the structures are shelters for Chinese fishermen and the construction photographed by Philippine reconnaissance planes was just repair work.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tang Guoqiang, said he appreciated the efforts made by Estrada "to resolve the matter diplomatically."
"The Chinese side has repeatedly stated our position on this question," Tang said at a briefing in Beijing. "We are always committed to peace and stability in the South China Sea, and the Chinese government sincerely hopes the Philippine side will fully understand China's sincere position and handle relevant matters calmly and appropriately."
The Spratlys, which straddle vital sea lanes in the South China Sea, are claimed in whole by China, Vietnam and Taiwan, and in part by Malaysia and the Philippines. Brunei claims one reef.
Estrada and Jiang are in Kuala Lumpur for meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
The Philippine leader, a former movie star who is attending his first APEC summit, read from cue cards during his meeting with Jiang, appearing nervous in his new role.
In Manila, Estrada's executive secretary, Ronaldo Zamora, said Philippine reconnaissance flights would continue over the disputed area despite Tuesday's meeting.
"While we have received the assurances of the Chinese government, we are nonetheless still making sure that we don't drop our guard completely," he said.
He said China built the structures on the reef mainly to reinforce its territorial claims.
"I don't really think that it is intended to threaten the Philippines or any of the neighboring countries around the Spratlys," he said. "It is basically to beef up their own claims to the Spratlys."