Armstrong, who served as a foreign affairs analyst for two previous articles on this site, is one of the leading observers and scholars in the country on matters concerning the Asian region, particularly in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Based on original in "South China Sea", National Geographic, December 1998.
MANILA, Philippines - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is expected to bring up the territorial dispute in the waters of Southeast Asia in his meeting with his counterpart in Beijing next week.
“I’ve been invited to go to Beijing and we’re looking for peaceful means to settle the challenges facing us,” Del Rosario said when asked if the Spratlys issue would be on the agenda. “I think probably maritime security is a subject we’ll be discussing.”
But Del Rosario said the schedule of his visit has not yet been finalized. The secretary’s visit was tentatively scheduled on July 7-9.
“We’re still trying to finalize that (schedule). We’re still trying to discuss to China as far as my participation is concerned. It hasn’t been finalized yet. It’s a bilateral visit,” Del Rosario said during a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati City last Thursday.
The invitation of China’s foreign minister Yang Jiechi to Del Rosario came amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea triggered by reported intrusions of Chinese vessels and aircraft into Philippine territorial waters.
According to Del Rosario, more than 100 agreements signed between the Philippines and China on trade, investments, tourism, education and security would definitely be discussed during the visit.
He also said President Aquino’s visit to China may take place next month or in September this year. “But the date is not yet final,” he said.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said freedom of navigation in the waters of Southeast Asia has never been compromised.
“In fact, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is out of question,” he said.
Singapore has called on China to clarify the extent of its claims in the West Philippine Sea with more “precision” saying its ambiguity has only heightened tensions. The island state said that parties should use as basis for resolving their dispute the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Sure of help
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said a resolution by the United States Senate criticizing China’s intrusions into Philippine waters may be considered an assurance of US support.
“This is good for us because we have an assurance at least somebody will help us in an event of a conflict (breaking out) in the area,” Gazmin said.
The US Senate resolution on Monday, Gazmin said, also debunked China’s denials that it had ever made incursions in Philippine waters.
“As the US senate viewed it, there was use of unnecessary force contrary to claims by China. The truth of the matter is that violations were noted during this period and we find the increased intrusions very alarming,” Gazmin said.
He said only a superpower can deal with another superpower in defusing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
The Philippines and the US are bound by a 60-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) to come to the defense of each other against foreign aggressors.
On China’s continued disregard of the diplomatic protests filed by the DFA, Gazmin said China’s attitude would have bearing on its standing in the international community.
“We are not offended. What will happen here is that China will lose face before the international community,” Gazmin said.
He stressed that China’s contention that the entire West Philippine Sea is under its jurisdiction is indefensible.
He also said that there is no need to reinforce the Philippine garrison in the Kalayaan Island group.
“We don’t need more troops there. What is more important now is that the conflict is contained in the region,” he said.
With Jaime Laude
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