Duterte calls for ‘restraint, caution’ on WPS
BEIJING — The Philippines and China should exercise "restraint and caution" to prevent an escalation of the
tension in the South China Sea, President Duterte declared during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The President pushed for peace and stability in the disputed waters after raising the Philippines’ concerns on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) when he met behind closed doors with Xi at the Great Hall of the People last Thursday.
"President Duterte reiterated to President Xi his resolve to endeavor to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity," presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
"He expounded the need for both countries to exercise restraint and caution to avoid actions that could complicate situations,” Panelo added.
Duterte ended his four-day visit to China where he attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation upon the invitation of Xi. He flew back to Davao Saturday night.
At the sidelines of the Belt and Road summit, Duterte and Xi have agreed to resolve the South China Sea issue through continued bilateral negotiations. The two leaders also agreed to sustain economic and security cooperation despite the territorial conflict.
“Both agree that the situation can be managed by the mechanism of bilateral negotiations, but it should not affect the cooperation being undertaken by both the Philippines and China," Panelo said.
He said Xi considers the Philippines China's ally in Southeast Asia but President Duterte emphasized that allies should "strengthen" and "not destroy" each other.
The high-level meeting came amid the government's concerns on the presence of dozens of Chinese ships near the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island and the alleged poaching of giant clams in Panatag Shoal.
The President mentioned the 2016 arbitral ruling that nullified China's claims resource-rich South China Sea during the meeting with Xi, according to government officials.
China still reportedly refused to recognize the decision made by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration.
"The President raised this and the Chinese maintained their position so there are differences," Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said in a media interview at a business forum in Beijing.
"It is a card for us in terms of it clarifies our maritime entitlements. Unfortunately, the Chinese are not willing to recognize this so it is a challenge, it will take more time,” the ambassador added.
For now, Sta. Romana said the two parties would try to resolve the territorial disputes through "peaceful and diplomatic means.” "The Chinese side expressed willingness, in the interest of friendship and cooperation, to address the issues we have raised," he said.
Successful visit
Malacañang said that President Duterte's official visit to China last week was "highly successful," noting the amount of business deals and investments, and grants the President was able to bring home.
"The Palace is pleased to announce that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte had a highly successful official visit to China," Panelo said in a statement Sunday morning, echoing Duterte's sentiment that China is the largest trading partner and major source of foreign investments of the Philippines.
"In this latest visit, the Chief Executive witnessed the signing of 19 business agreements, covering a wide range of areas of investments such as in energy, infrastructure that includes tourism related facilities and Internet connectivity, agriculture and training of Filipinos sojourning in China, to name a few," he added.
The estimated investment value of the said agreements is US$12.165 billion which is expected to generate more than 21,000 jobs for Filipinos.
According to Panelo, Duterte assured prospective foreign investors that the Philippine government will create an enabling environment that will allow their business establishments and investments to prosper.
Commitment to friendship
Panelo said that Duterte's bilateral meeting with President Xi yielded a 1-billion Renminbi grant to the Philippines.
"He affirmed our commitment to friendship and understanding with China. He expressed the country’s readiness to pursue more high-quality and good-impact projects," Panelo said.
Panelo assured that President Duterte is chartering the country's independent foreign policy to a new height of diplomatic relations with other nations.
"[It is] solely based on our national security and interest and towards a direction that will contribute to our national development, as well as the realization of the aspiration of our people to attain economic progress and comfortable life for the greater masses of our countrymen," he said.
Belt and Road Forum
Duterte's participation during the High-Level Meeting Session 1 of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation highlighted
the contribution of migrant workers to the development of home and host countries.
"PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) advocated for their protection and welfare. In the same forum, President Duterte pitched for development assistance based on reciprocal benefits," Panelo said.
In his last day in China, the Chief Executive attended the Leaders’ Roundtable Sessions in the Yanqi Lake International Conference Center. During Session III, the President was given the opportunity to have an intervention where he stressed the value of nations, especially in Asia, working together with a shared goal of inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth and prosperity.
"He welcomed economic investments that will help our country improve its economic productivity in the area of agriculture as well as in our country's massive infrastructure development program while ensuring that it will be clean and green," the Palace spokesman said.
Bilateral agreements
President Duterte also witnessed the signing of two agreements on promoting investment cooperation and drug rehabilitation efforts.
The Exchange of Letters on Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation between the Philippines and China proposes a project list which will serve as the focus of cooperation between the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
The Handover Certificate GrantAid for the Dangerous Drugs Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers Project between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People's Republic of China will lead to the hand-over of drug treatment facilities in Sarangani and Agusan del Norte provided by China through grant.
Secretary Ernesto Pernia of NEDA and Ambassador Jose Santiago Sta. Romana signed the documents on investment cooperation and drug rehabilitation efforts, on behalf of the Philippines, respectively.
West Philippine Sea
Panelo earlier said that Duterte and Xi talked about the issue of the West Philippine Sea. Prior to the visit, Malacañang issued strongly-worded statements protesting the presence of Chinese vessels in the disputed waters.
Duterte raised the issue with Xi, particularly the situation in Pag-asa Island, during their bilateral meeting. "Both agree that the situation can be managed by the mechanism of bilateral negotiations but it should not affect the cooperation being undertaken by both the Philippines and China and they look forward to a productive discussion on matters of mutual concern and interests," he said.
"While the Chinese leader acknowledged the inevitable of having challenges to the bilateral relations, he placed importance on the mutual trust that exists between the two nations in order to resolve the same," Panelo said.
Panelo said Xi expounded on the importance of good neighborliness and proper handling of differences between countries. The Chinese leader also cited the Memorandum of Understanding on Oil and Gas as an example where both the Philippines and China suspended their differences for a joint exploration that would mutually benefit both countries and their peoples.
Duterte, meanwhile emphasized that the Philippines remains China’s ally in Southeast Asia.
"[President Duterte] emphasized that both countries are allies, and allies strengthen — and do not destroy – each other," he said.