RP told not to harm China ties

RP told not to harm China ties

MANILA (AFP): China admonished the Philippines yesterday to refrain from moves that could harm bilateral relations following a Christmas day visit by Philippine military officials to a Filipino-held island in the disputed Spratly islands chain.

The statement issued by the Chinese embassy here urged the Philippines to stand by a principle of "shelving disputes while seeking common development," which the two governments reiterated during Chinese President Jiang Zemin's state visit here last month.

"China hopes that the Philippine side could strictly abide by the above-mentioned principle and refrain from any move to harm friendly bilateral relations," Hao Yinpiao, spokesman of the Chinese embassy here said in a statement.

Officials led by Philippine military chief Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Acedera made a surprise visit on Dec. 25 to Kalayaan island, the largest of seven islands secured by the Philippines in the South China Sea.