Philippines urged to crop UN case
Print Edition
CHINA called on the Philippines yesterday to withdraw a case filed at a UN arbitration tribunal over rival claims in the South China Sea and return to bilateral negotiations.
China has for years insisted that disputes with rival claimants to the South China Sea be handled bilaterally.
However, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague this month began hearing a suit the Philippines filed in 2013. China has refused to take part in the case.
Asked by reporters if the Philippines should withdraw its case in The Hague, China’s ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua, said he hoped that would be the case and that “the Philippine side will sit together with us for a peaceful negotiation.”
He added: “The negotiation might require patience, might take time but that’s the only way out ... peaceful solutions through bilateral talks.”
A Philippine legal team that includes two American lawyers argued before the tribunal that it was the “correct venue” for resolving disputes covered by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which both states have signed.
The Philippines is seeking to enforce its right to exploit waters in a 200-nautical mile “exclusive economic zone” off its coast.
China issued a paper in December arguing that the dispute was not covered by the convention because it was a matter of sovereignty, not exploitation rights.
The United States and its allies, including the Philippines, have asked China to halt offshore constructions on the Nansha Islands in the sea, fearing the artificial islands could be used by Beijing to restrain freedom of navigation.
China has dismissed those fears, saying it has owned the territories since ancient times and has a right to build there.
“No single commercial ship has been affected negatively when they go through the South China Sea,” Zhao said, adding that stability and peace in the area had been maintained despite differences.
Zhao also played down reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping may skip the annual APEC summit to be hosted by Manila in November because of the conflict. He said no decision had been reached because the Philippine government only sent its invitation recently.
Separately, China hopes to develop renewable energy projects in the sea as part of a series of schemes that will also benefit other countries.
China says it needs to carry out its reclamation and building not only for defensive purposes, but also to improve navigation as part of international obligations.
The People’s Daily, citing the National Oceanic Administration, said China needed to “further provide high-quality public maritime services for countries bordering the South China Sea and the region.”
Efforts to protect the environment there could be helped by China working with other nations to develop renewable energy, it added.
Zhao said that trade between China and the Philippines grew last year despite their territorial conflicts.
“I think last year bilateral trade grew 17.6 percent and our trade stands at over U$44 billion,” Zhao said.
“From these figures, you can see that our bilateral relationship is quite strong ... so that gives us hope for a better relationship.”
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