China to support sea code

Xi gave the assurance during bilateral meeting with Duterte

DA NANG, Vietnam – China has agreed to support talks on the proposed Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea and reaffirmed its respect for freedom of navigation in the vital waterway.

Chinese President Xi Jinping relayed this message during a “frank” bilateral meeting with President Duterte in Da Nang, Vietnam, according to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

The two leaders held bilateral talks on bilateral cooperation and other concerns at the end of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Vietnam.

“Two points were discussed. First, what will happen to the Code of Conduct. President Xi said there has been an agreement on the framework on the Code of

Conduct, and the talks will continue. He expects the talks will be completed soon,” Roque said in Filipino after the meeting between the two leaders.

Ministers of the 10-member ASEAN and China had earlier adopted the framework for further negotiations on the COC in the disputed South China Sea. Leaders from these nations are expected to announce the actual start of the negotiations during a summit this week in Manila.

President Duterte had earlier said he would ask Xi to finally agree to the COC to avoid conflict and ease tension in the South China Sea. He also wanted to raise the regional bloc’s “wary and worry” over China’s growing militarization in the disputed territories.

President Xi also assured Duterte that China does not object to the principle of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, according to Roque.

“Xi said there is no threat to freedom of navigation. It’s still there. They will not stop anyone,” Roque said.

On the tension in the Korean peninsula, Roque said Xi pushed for a peaceful dialogue among concerned parties to resolve the conflict. He said Xi assured China does not want any escalation of the conflict in the area.

“They are encouraging a dialogue between United States and North Korea. China is a responsible country, a member of the UN Security Council and will implement the Security Council resolutions,” he said.

Roque said Xi also affirmed China’s strong relations with the Philippines will continue. He said China promised to continue to provide assistance and support to the Philippines.

“Because of the new and strong relationship between China and the Philippines, economic, military, cultural, and other ties will be ever stronger,” Roque said.

Xi also commended Duterte’s leadership in the region, citing the “excellent” relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Philippines will host the regional summit next month.

Roque said Duterte also invited Xi to visit the Philippines. The Chinese leader reciprocated the invitation to Duterte to visit China again.

In the same bilateral meeting, President Duterte assured President Xi that the Philippines values its friendship with China “more than anything else.”

The President affirmed the country’s alliance with China after thanking its “crucial” assistance in defeating Islamic State-linked terrorists in Marawi City last month. The two leaders held bilateral talks at the Crowne Plaza hotel at the end of the APEC Summit.

“Let me thank you for your crucial help in our fight in Marawi a few weeks ago. We badly needed help and it was China who first came to our aid,” Duterte said in his opening remarks.

“We are very, very thankful to you. As you say, we value your friendship more than anything else. And you – I said I gave you my word that we can be your true friends,” he added.

The President also grabbed the opportunity to thank Xi for the China weapons donated to the Filipino troops.