China wants joint oil project in Spratlys
China wants joint oil project in Spratlys
P. Parameswaran, Agence France-Presse, Manila
China's number two leader Wu Bangguo on Sunday proposed joint oil
exploration and development in the disputed Spratlys area of the
South China Sea in what has been termed a breakthrough in easing
tensions in a potential regional flashpoint.
Wu, the chairman of China's parliament, made the proposal
during a meeting with leaders of the Philippine Congress while in
Manila to attend an Asian parliamentarians' conference, according
to Philippine House of Representatives Speaker Jose de Venecia.
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as
China and Taiwan claim the Spratly Islands, a potentially oil-
rich archipelago.
"Mr Wu proposed a joint exploration and development program in
the Spratlys" beginning with the Philippines and China and
covering the other claimants as well, De Venecia told reporters.
He was speaking at a joint media conference with Wu after the
meeting, which also agreed to boost counter terrorism cooperation
between Southeast Asia, China, Russia and Central Asia.
Wu described the meeting as an "in-depth exchange of views"
but did not give details of his joint exploration and development
plan.
He stressed however that "peace and stability is the common
task facing every country in the world and is the pre-requisite
of economic development and welfare of the people.
"Peace and development carries pragmatic significance," Wu
added.
De Venecia said that proposed Spratlys joint development
"would lead to a diplomatic breakthrough in this area following
the important statement of China earlier and the Philippines and
the other ASEAN countries to agree on a common code of conduct in
the South China Sea."
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
last year signed a treaty with China aimed at preventing an
escalation of tensions over the Spratlys.
All parties agreed to refrain from activities that would
escalate tensions in the region.
The deal involved the four Southeast Asian nations and China,
but excludes Taiwan.
Vietnam and China have clashed twice over the Spratlys, in
1988 and 1992, while skirmishes have also occurred between other
countries, antagonizing relations while threatening to undermine
regional security.
Although it is believed the archipelago sits on top of vast
reserves of oil and gas, their commercial potential has never
been confirmed. The islands also flank international shipping
lanes.
De Venecia said the proposed joint exploration and development
program would spur economic development in Southeast Asia.
"These areas are idle and we might as well let them bloom and
for joint profit sharing or multiple profit sharing by all," de
Venecia said.
Harry Angping, chairman of the trade and industry panel of the
Philippine Congress, said it was also agreed on Sunday that
representatives of a major Chinese oil exploration company be
sent to Manila in November to look into joint exploration
efforts.
Wu and de Venecia also discussed the possibility of linking
anti-terrorism coalitions in Southeast Asia and China, Russia and
Central Asia.
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Malaysia and
Thailand have forged a counter-terrorism pact focused on sharing
intelligence, resources and personnel to fight terrorism in
Southeast Asia.
"Hopefully we can now discuss possible ways of cooperation
between the ASEAN powers on the antiterror front together with
China, Russia and new Central Asian republics," de Venecia said.
Wu, who arrived on Saturday on a four-day visit to Manila, is
also the outgoing president of the Association of Asian
Parliaments for Peace, whose five-day general assembly begins
here on Monday.