Manila, Beijing avoid Spratlys

Manila, Beijing avoid Spratlys

MANILA (DPA): The defense ministers of the Philippines and China avoided discussing their nations' rival claims to the Spratly Islands at a meeting in Manila yesterday, but both later reiterated their commitments on peacefully resolving the dispute.

Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian told reporters that he did not discuss the Spratlys issue with his Philippine counterpart but he went on to note that a peaceful resolution of the issue would be "beneficial to the stability and peace in the Asia-Pacific region".

Chi added that, during his meeting with Philippine Defense Secretary Renato de Villa, he proposed more joint activities between the Chinese and Philippine armed forces in a bid to foster friendly defense contacts between the two countries.

"Mr de Villa and I believe that we should try our best to push forward our friendship and improve the relations of the two armed forces to a higher and new level," said Chi, who arrived for a seven-day visit last Friday.