China envoy open to talks on plight of Pinoy fishermen
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua yesterday said they are open to discussing the possibility of letting Filipino fishermen in the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, GMA News reported.
"We can discuss the possibility," Zhao briefly said in a chance interview with reporters after the National Heroes Day commemoration at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Zhao's comment came after President Rodrigo Duterte in his speech made reference to the The Hague ruling favoring the Philippines that Scarborough Shoal is a common fishing ground.
"If we continue to treat each other as brothers and continue to understand especially the plight of the fishermen... They are there because they are poor," Duterte said.
"If the Chinese people this time find a place in their hearts for the Filipinos... I hope we treat each other as brothers, not enemies," Duterte added after he once again said that he will not bring the arbitration ruling in the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Laos.
Meanwhile, Zhao said they want to discuss common interests in the bilateral talks. "But we do look forward to talk to the Philippines bilaterally ... But right now we need to change our focus from differences to common interests so we can concentrate on cooperation that will benefit our people," the Chinese envoy said.
He also asked the Filipino-Chinese community to be good citizens in the Philippines. "The Chinese community here, well, they are Filipinos of Chinese origin, I hope they can continue to make their contribution to the socio-economic develop and they continue to be lawabiding and to continue to be a force of peace and stability and prosperity," he urged them.
In a landmark decision on July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague said the Scarborough Shoal's 12 nautical mile territorial sea is a common fishing ground for Chinese and Filipino fishermen.
The ChinaCoast Guard has been blocking Filipino fishermen who try to go to Scarborough Shoal since 2013. Even with the PCA ruling, Filipinos were still barred by the Chinese from getting near the shoal. Earlier this month, China's Supreme Court ruled that people caught illegally fishing in its waters could be jailed for a year.
Presidential spokesman Ernie Abella has told Filipino fishermen to "proceed with caution" if they plan to go in the area.