Vietnamese FM arrives in Manila

Vietnamese FM arrives in Manila

MANILA (Reuter): Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam
arrived in Manila yesterday for a three-day visit expected to
include talks with Philippine officials on the disputed Spratly
islands.

"I'm very happy to come over to Manila. I hope this session
will promote the growth and development of relations between our
two countries," he told reporters upon his arrival.

He is to meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Romulo to
discuss a possible joint marine research project in the disputed
islands in the South China Sea.

The Philippines said earlier it has sent a navy ship to the
Spratlys to check reports China has set up a military base in the
area.

China claims sovereignty over the entire islands which are
believed to sit atop potentially rich deposits of oil and gas.
Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam also claim
sovereignty over all or part of the Spratlys.