Philippines, China seek code of conduct on maritime dispute

VIENTIANE – The Philippines and China stressed yesterday the need to craft a framework for a code of conduct for claimants in the South China Sea and to settle territorial disputes peacefully.

The overlapping maritime claims in the region were discussed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-China meeting held here and attended by heads of state and government, including President Duterte.

The Philippines released photographs of 10 Chinese ships around Panatag Shoal ahead of the meeting but presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the issue was not discussed.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said it was possible that China would push through with its reclamation plan in the area, which the arbitral tribunal declared in July as a common fishing ground.

“China was vigorously asking to begin with the code of conduct as well as Singapore, and our President… also expressed his approval of having this framework of code of conduct initiated,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press briefing.

There is an existing Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea between ASEAN and China but this is not legally binding, something the Philippines has been pushing.

The Philippines has won a case it filed against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to clarify its maritime entitlements in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea.

“The trend is to resolve differences… there is now positive direction in our relations, and the (code of) conduct in the South China Sea should happen next year after the framework of the code of conduct has been dealt with by the ASEAN region,” Andanar said.

Andanar said Duterte also called on his fellow leaders to “be on the side of peace.”

“International disputes should inspire us to work together with adherence to the rule of law and international governing bodies; put words into actions and be on the side of peace,” he quoted Duterte as saying during the meeting.

Andanar said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was “stoically listening” when Duterte delivered the statement.

Asked why the Philippines released the photos in time for the meeting and what it would do next, Abella said “basically, it’s simply to announce that we are aware of the movements in the area” and that the presence of the ships, which were apparently not there for fishing, was being clarified with the Chinese government.

Abella said there were ongoing talks, including through the backchannel, to clarify the presence of the ships.

“At this stage, it is an ongoing conversation so it would be best to leave it there,” Abella said, adding: “The conversation proceeds toward a certain goal and that is eventually to be able to settle matters, it’s an ongoing process,” especially for former president Fidel Ramos, whom the President tapped to hold backchannel talks with Chinese representatives.

Asked how concerned the Philippines was about the ships and their movements, Abella said: “Enough to announce it.”

As regards the July 12 ruling of the arbitral tribunal, Andanar said there were also no categorical statements made for China to comply with the ruling.