China lauds PH for a stabilized South China Sea

China applauded the Philippines in upholding an independent diplomatic policy and expressed agreement with the Duterte administration’s statement that the territorial dispute should be resolved in the spirit of good neighborliness.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry made this reaction to the statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) during the first anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal Award on the South China Sea dispute citing the bold initiatives of President Duterte in pursuing an independent foreign policy as being a “game changer

not only in the geo-political landscape in the region but more importantly in the lives of our people.”

In the same statement, the DFA stressed the administration’s reaffirmation of its “unwavering commitment” to protect the Philippine territorial claims and maritime entitlements. It further echoed the government’s belief that the ongoing territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea should further be resolved in a manner consistent with the spirit of good neighborly relations.

In a press briefing, a transcript of which was posted in the official website of the Chinese embassy in Manila, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said the China-Philippines relations have taken an upturn for the past one year.

Shuang said the two sides have “come back to the right track of settlement through dialogue, consultation and negotiation, established the China-Philippines bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue, and successfully held the first meeting of such mechanism in May.”

Dialogue and negotiation “With the concerted efforts of China, the Philippines and other ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has stabilized and taken on a good trend, and the framework of the COC is also concluded,” the Chinese foreign ministry official pointed out. “These positive developments conform to the common interests of the two countries and peoples as well as the shared aspiration of regional countries, which marks an irresistible trend.”

He further said that while firmly upholding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, China has also been committed to peacefully resolving the relevant disputes through negotiation and consultation with countries directly concerned, the Philippines included, and working with the ASEAN countries to jointly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

“China stands ready to continuously work with the Philippines to properly solve the South China Searelated issues through dialogue and negotiation, and further create sound atmosphere for the development of China-Philippines relations and relevant cooperation,” Shuang added