Envoy: China committed to peaceful development

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – China is committed to peaceful development and will oppose the wanton use of force to engage in expansion or to seek hegemonism or predominant influence over others, the country’s envoy said yesterday.

Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing made the statement in a forum of students and school officials here.

Ma stressed China’s position of “unswerving adherence to follow the path of peaceful development” as a result of the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress held last November.

Noting that China was a victim of six major wars, Ma said “long sufferings have made China a nation of fortitude and perseverance.”

She believes that China should “stick to the win-win strategy of opening up,” to make sure that its development thrusts will bring more benefits to its neighboring countries and will contribute to global development.

“China is ready to enhance friendship and cooperation with its neighbors and all other countries,” she said.

Without mentioning the row over the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea in her speech, Ma said she is hopeful that good relations between China and the Philippines would continue and be further strengthened.

She reiterated that China “advocates for peaceful settlement of international disputes and regional hotspot issues.”

Chinese pride

Ma cited her country’s impressive civilization.

She said the Chinese are proud because their country is the home of great inventions such as printing technology, gunpowder and the compass.

She also said the Chinese culture is “both extensive and profound, and presents many precious philosophies, values and ideas.”

In terms of economy, Ma said China’s annual growth rate of 9.9 percent has been sustained, prompting the country to become the second largest economy in the world.

Ma said that China has liberated more than 200 million of its people from poverty and fees and taxes collected from farmers and students have also been eliminated.

China, the biggest investor in Asia, imports $750 billion from other countries annually that creates more than 14 million job opportunities for these nations, according to Ma.

Case to continue

Meanwhile, despite China’s objection, the Philippine government maintains it will see China at the United Nations for arbitration over the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Based on a report, the Chinese government continues to oppose the Philippines’ move to bring the matter to the UN.

The report on China.org, the authorized portal site of the Chinese government, quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei as saying: “China disagrees with moves that go against the consensus (reached before).”

It said China signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) with members of the ASEAN in 2002.

According to the declaration, relevant disputes should be solved through friendly talks and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned.

Reacting to the report, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), it would not be back to square one for the Philippines even if China objected to arbitration.

“The 2002 (document) is a non-binding Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The case before the arbitral tribunal will issue an award on the entitlements of the Philippines in accordance with international law,” Lacierda said, quoting the DFA.

“The Philippines will await China’s actions within 30 days from the time notification has been made,” Lacierda said. – With Aurea Calica