China eyes win-win outcome in talks

MANILA, Philippines - China is eyeing a “win-win” outcome of possible post-arbitration talks with the Philippines, with both countries to discuss “temporary arrangements” pending final settlement of their maritime dispute.

China’s ministry of foreign affairs announced Beijing’s readiness to talk even as it called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) not to take sides on the issue related to arbitration.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague, in a ruling last July 12, invalidated China’s massive claim in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea and upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights over areas seized or claimed by the Chinese.

The Chinese foreign ministry also said Beijing’s position of not accepting or recognizing the ruling will not change.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi said the South China Sea issue is not an issue between China and ASEAN since the regional bloc has long made clear its neutrality on the issue.

His statement came amid ASEAN’s silence on the rejection of Chinese territorial claims by the arbitral tribunal. “Therefore, it should not take sides on issues related to the arbitration,” Yang said.

China and ASEAN member-states, he said, have maintained candid and friendly communication regarding the South China Sea issue.

Yang said China is ready to settle the disputes through peaceful negotiation with countries directly concerned – on the basis of respecting “historical facts,” which the arbitral tribunal rejected in its ruling.

The tribunal’s ruling was based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Beijing is a signatory to UNCLOS.

“China is ready to discuss with countries concerned about temporary arrangements pending final settlement of the dispute, which include joint development in relevant waters in the South China Sea for mutual benefits and win-win outcomes, so that together we can maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Yang said.

“China’s position of not accepting or recognizing the award will not change,” he pointed out.

The official blamed the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III for the “serious difficulty” the Philippines-China bilateral relations were going through. He said the Aquino administration had a hostile policy toward China on the sea dispute.

“We call on the new Philippine government to bear in mind the common interests of our two countries and the broader picture of bilateral ties and properly handle relevant issues,” he said.

China, Yang said, will stay committed to following the peaceful path of negotiation and consultation, and to developing friendly relations and win-win cooperation with its neighbors.

Beijing refused to participate in the arbitral proceedings and rejected the ruling, calling the award by the Arbitral Tribunal “illegal” and “invalid.”

Yang said “this position of the central government has the strong support and endorsement from people of various social sectors in China.”

“They have expressed their unequivocal attitude of opposing the illegal arbitration and safeguarding sovereign rights and interests by contributing articles and articulating views through the press, TV and SMS as well as online platforms like WeChat and Weibo,” Yang said, referring to what he called declaration of support for the Chinese position.

He called the South China Sea arbitration a political farce all along, staged under the cover of law and driven by a hidden agenda.

Certain countries outside the region, he said, have attempted to deny China’s sovereign rights and interests in the South China Sea through the arbitration.

“But such attempts are futile, to say the least, and in so doing, they are only lifting a stone to drop it on their own feet,” he added.

He said the arbitration ran counter to the spirit of international rule of law, as it put regional peace and stability in jeopardy, and undermined the interests of the international community.

“Most countries in the world see this clearly,” he claimed.

Yang flaunted that over 70 countries and international and regional organizations have made statements showing their support for China’s position.

On the other hand, the Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said 40 countries had voiced support for the arbitral proceedings.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the CSIS said countries that considered the outcome of arbitral proceeding binding were Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. 

Countries supporting China’s position included Afghanistan, Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Niger, Sudan, Togo and Vanuatu.

Yang noted the South China Sea has been part of China’s domain since ancient times.

“No country should expect us to trade our core interests away or swallow the bitter consequences of our sovereignty, security and development interests being undermined,” he said.