Philippine ships told to leave
Source: Agencies |
April 13, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA yesterday urged two Philippine Navy vessels currently in a confrontation with Chinese fishermen in waters off Huangyan Island in the South China Sea to immediately withdraw.
At a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said official ships dispatched by the Chinese government, which were not navy ships, were on their way to the scene.
China has been maintaining communications with the Philippines via diplomatic channels, he said, reiterating China's hopes that the incident will not be further aggravated.
Liu said China's law-enforcement ships were sent to safeguard the Chinese fishermen and vessels, as well as their legitimate fishing activities.
On Tuesday, a Philippine Navy warship attempted to arrest several Chinese fishermen accused of "illegal entry and poaching" but was prevented from doing so with the arrival of two Chinese surveillance ships.
One of the Chinese ships blocked the entrance to a lagoon where at least eight Chinese fishing vessels were anchored. The Philippine warship was told to leave the Chinese territory.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said the fishing boats had taken shelter from a storm and accused Philippine troops of harassment.
Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said its BRP Gregorio del Pilar warship was withdrawn from the waters off Huangyan yesterday for refueling and was replaced by a coast guard ship.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said yesterday he would ask Chinese ambassador Ma Keqing to explain the arrival of "a third Chinese surveillance ship" but said he would continue talks with Ma to resolve the impasse, possibly this week.
"We're watching developments and at the same time we're pursuing the diplomatic track," Del Rosario said. "We're moving forward but it's still a work in progress."
Del Rosario proposed an arrangement to end the impasse during talks with Ma, according to Philippine officials monitoring the negotiations.
He declined to provide details of the proposal, but said it was a "win-win" solution designed to rapidly end the standoff. He said he wanted the problem resolved before Sunday, when he is due to travel to the United States for a weeklong trip.
At a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said official ships dispatched by the Chinese government, which were not navy ships, were on their way to the scene.
China has been maintaining communications with the Philippines via diplomatic channels, he said, reiterating China's hopes that the incident will not be further aggravated.
Liu said China's law-enforcement ships were sent to safeguard the Chinese fishermen and vessels, as well as their legitimate fishing activities.
On Tuesday, a Philippine Navy warship attempted to arrest several Chinese fishermen accused of "illegal entry and poaching" but was prevented from doing so with the arrival of two Chinese surveillance ships.
One of the Chinese ships blocked the entrance to a lagoon where at least eight Chinese fishing vessels were anchored. The Philippine warship was told to leave the Chinese territory.
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said the fishing boats had taken shelter from a storm and accused Philippine troops of harassment.
Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said its BRP Gregorio del Pilar warship was withdrawn from the waters off Huangyan yesterday for refueling and was replaced by a coast guard ship.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said yesterday he would ask Chinese ambassador Ma Keqing to explain the arrival of "a third Chinese surveillance ship" but said he would continue talks with Ma to resolve the impasse, possibly this week.
"We're watching developments and at the same time we're pursuing the diplomatic track," Del Rosario said. "We're moving forward but it's still a work in progress."
Del Rosario proposed an arrangement to end the impasse during talks with Ma, according to Philippine officials monitoring the negotiations.
He declined to provide details of the proposal, but said it was a "win-win" solution designed to rapidly end the standoff. He said he wanted the problem resolved before Sunday, when he is due to travel to the United States for a weeklong trip.
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