China, Philippines vow consultations on South China Sea
China, Philippines vow consultations on South China Sea
Agencies, Manila
Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian and his Philippine counterpart Angelo Reyes vowed on Sunday vowed to use "peaceful consultations and negotiations" in dealing with territorial conflicts in the South China Sea.
Both officials also emphasized increased cooperation in counter-terrorism and in the modernization of the poorly-equipped Philippine military in a joint statement just before Chi departed for China.
Reyes and Chi said both countries were committed to "address the South China Sea dispute through peaceful consultations and negotiations" with the aim of making the area into "waters of peace and cooperation."
Chi, who was on a four-day goodwill visit, said he supported a "mechanism to resolve the issue," of conflicting claims by China, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia to islands in the South China Sea.
Reyes said China was willing to take part in the drafting of the "code of conduct" for the claimants which has been proposed to ease tensions over the Spratly islands in the South China Sea. However both officials did not give specifics on China's role in forging the code.
The code was first proposed by the Philippines but has been held up by disputes over the wording and the area it would cover. Chi reiterated that China was supporting the Philippines in the war against terrorism and was ready to hold exchanges and cooperation in this area.
Reyes also said Beijing was ready to provide support and assistance in modernizing the Philippine military. Officials earlier said that during the trip, China offered 40 military trucks costing three million dollars and Mandarin language training programs for Filipino military personnel.
Chi's visit came amid a diplomatic row between China and the Philippines over the detention of 122 Chinese fishermen for poaching and illegal fishing. China sought their immediate release, but Philippine officials insisted they should plead guilty, which they did last Friday, and pay fines.
China also has objected to a possible Philippine military purchase of used F-5 fighter jets from Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province not entitled to political or military ties with other countries.
The Philippines reiterated its adherence to a "one China policy," which Chinese Ambassador Wang Chungui said was a guarantee that the Southeast Asian nation would not entertain any military deal with Taiwan.
Chi emphasized in the statement that China and the Philippines "are close neighbors and share mutual support" and do not have a "history of war and confrontation."
"I don't believe the differences or disputes between our two countries should block the furthering of friendly relations," the 72-year-old Chi told reporters before boarding a China Southern Airline plane. "Our stance has been consistent that we need to engage in peaceful negotiations to settle all the disputes between us and we surely can promote our relations in the spirit of mutual trust and mutual benefit."
Meeting Chi on Saturday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the Philippines has avoided actions that could aggravate territorial disputes, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.
Arroyo called for intensified cooperation with China in the fight against terrorism that also would build confidence. Both Chi and Reyes said the United Nations should play a leading role in the fight against terrorism.