China vows to be good neighbor of Asean

China yesterday renewed its commitment to strengthen ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the face of concerns over its military buildup in the region.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China is committed to work with ASEAN.

“China always sees ASEAN as a priority in our neighborhood diplomacy. We are committed to work with ASEAN to be good neighbors,

good friends, and good partners that always stand together, rain or shine,” Li said during the 20th ASEAN-China Summit.

“We are also committed to working with ASEAN to build a community of shared future featuring common ideas, common prosperity and a common responsibility,” he added.

China claims historic rights over virtually the entire South China Sea, a crucial trade route where about $5 trillion worth of trade passes through every year.

The Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan are disputing the extensive claim.

To assert its maritime claims, China built artificial islands and structures on Kagitingan (Fiery Cross), Panganiban (Mischief), Zamora (Subi), Burgos (Gaven), Kennan (Hughes), Mabini (Johnson South) and Calderon (Cuarteron) Reefs, areas off Palawan province that are also being claimed by the Philippines.

China has also installed radar systems, barracks and airstrips in the disputed areas, worrying its neighbors who believe that the construction projects could affect regional stability.

Chinese President Xi Jinping assured President Duterte that the military buildup in the South China Sea is “nothing” and denied that his country is planning to restrict freedom of navigation in the region.

Li said it was fair to say that friendly relations between China and ASEAN is a “consensus” of all member-countries of the bloc.

“Among ASEAN’s dialogue partners, ChinaASEAN relations are the most dynamic and the most substantive,” the Chinese premier said.

“We can also see what ASEAN will be like 50 years or 20 years or 50 years from today and will be even greater, glorious achievements in the decades to come,” he added.

Li noted that China was the first to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and the first to launch free trade agreement negotiations with the group. The treaty seeks to promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation among people in the region.

Sea row not discussed

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the South China Sea dispute was not discussed during Duterte’s bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump.

“It wasn’t discussed in the bilateral. However, it was brought up in the ASEAN-US dialogue,” Roque said.

Roque said ASEAN member-countries reiterated that they want a peaceful resolution to the maritime row and a code of conduct for claimants.

He said the South China Sea dispute was brought up by Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak, who was asked to deliver ASEAN’s common statement in the presence of Trump.

“I only heard the Malaysian prime minister mention the South China Sea issue and the need for peaceful resolution of the same. There was also the fear of the militarization and for China to finally conclude the Code of Conduct,” Roque said.