China, Philippines agree to strengthen dialogue

MANILA, Philippines, February 26 ------ The Philippines and China have agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation to prevent conflict and confrontation at sea, according to the Chinese embassy.

Embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng said the consensus was a fruit of the meeting between Sen. Erwin Tulfo and Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Monday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro was present at the meeting. “The two sides agreed to keep diplomatic channels open and continue political conversations,” Ji said in a GMA 7 interview. “They emphasized the need to strengthen dialogue between the two coast guards and the importance of their cooperation rather than confrontation or conflict,” he said.

But while stressing its openness to dialogue, China won’t initiate talks on managing differences over maritime issues as Beijing would rather take the position of “words for words, actions for actions and talk for talk” in dealing with Manila, the embassy spokesman maintained. The Chinese embassy issued the statement to clarify the position articulated by Jing at the Lunar New Year reception recently in Manila that the Philippines and China sit down to settle disagreements. “What Ambassador Jing Quan actually said at the embassy’s Spring Festival reception was: ‘That is why China consistently advocates dialogue: sitting down, talking things through and finding ways to manage differences.’ By saying that, the ambassador was referring to handling maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation,” Ji said. “The context did not imply that the Chinese embassy was initiating talks with specific Philippine legislators or trying to tone down the debate. Debate should proceed when necessary – truth becomes clearer through it. At the same time, our door remains open for anyone willing to engage in dialogue,” he added.

During the meeting, Ji said Jing outlined China’s position on its relations with the Philippines, the Taiwan question and maritime issues. The two sides, he said, agreed to keep diplomatic channels open and continue political conversations. “They emphasized the need to strengthen dialogue between the two coast guards and the importance of their cooperation rather than confrontation or conflict,” he said.

The embassy spokesman said both sides recognized the opportunity to make progress on the Code of Conduct of parties in the South China Sea (COC) this year, and that all parties of COC consultation should step up their efforts to achieve this goal. Ji also assailed the senators who introduced what he called an anti-China resolution. “If anyone continues to smear and attack China, the Chinese embassy will respond firmly and without hesitation,” he said. “China’s position is clear: words for words, actions for actions and talk for talk,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Appointments (CA) yesterday deferred consideration of a motion filed by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta seeking to significantly amend the official records of a previous hearing concerning his remarks on the Kalayaan Island Group.

Source: philstar.com