‘Cordial Philippine-China ties far outweigh differences’

PHNOM PENH – China is looking forward to closer cooperation with the Philippines and other member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to attain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said yesterday.

Li, during a brief conversation with President Marcos on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Plus Three (APT) Summit held at the Sokha Hotel here, said China “respects” the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with regard to the South China Sea issue.

“I look forward to working with the Philippines to uphold the unity and cooperation between China and ASEAN and also look forward to working with the Philippines and other countries in ASEAN for peace and stability in South China Sea on the basis of mutual respect and respect for the DOC and international law, including the1982 UNCLOS. And also let’s work together for successful meetings,” Li told Marcos, to which the President replied, “Absolutely. We can all achieve this in partnership.”

Li was referring to the DOC, which was created in 2002 when ASEAN countries and China failed to come up with a Code of Conduct to manage the territorial disputes and govern nations’ behavior in the disputed waters.

States parties to the UNCLOS are entitled to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles.

Under the convention, states have sovereign rights to explore and exploit, conserve and manage natural resources, among others, within their EEZ.

The Philippines has been demanding that China adhere to international laws, including the UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral ruling, which invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. Beijing does not recognize the arbitral ruling.

The Philippines has filed several diplomatic protests against China over its vessels’ illegal presence in the West Philippine Sea.

Meanwhile, Li pushed for continued stronger ties between China and the Philippines, saying the cordial relationship between the two nations “far outweighs” their differences.

“I believe there should be continued growth of China-Philippines relations. What we have in common far outweighs our differences,” Li said, to which Marcos responded, “I absolutely agree.”

Marcos also thanked Li for remembering his late father and namesake. “I thank you for remembering my father and his initiative to come to China and it was he after all who made the Philippines and China family,” the President said.

Marcos Sr. met Chinese leader Mao Zedong during a five-day state visit to China in June 1975. He was accompanied by then first lady Imelda Marcos and daughters Irene and Imee, who is now a senator.

Marcos is set to make a state visit to China on Jan. 3 to 5 or 6 next year upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The President said the partnership between the Philippines and China has been beneficial for both countries.

“So I look forward to discussing all of these when I come to visit in January,” he said.

Marcos on Wednesday said he would also discuss the COC with Xi when they get the chance to meet.