PRESIDENT Duterte finally made good on his promise to directly raise the arbitral ruling favoring the country in issues it raised against Beijing’s excessive claims in the West Philippine Sea, but China’s leader stood pat on his government’s position to ignore the 2016 decision.
During the meeting of Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Malacañang said on Friday, Duterte was “steadfast” in raising the arbitral ruling before his Chinese counterpart.
“President Duterte was also steadfast in raising with President Xi concerns central to the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which include the ruling held by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. He said that the arbitral award is final, binding and not subject to appeal,” said Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo.
“In response, President Xi reiterated his government’s position of not recognizing the arbitral ruling as well as not budging from its position,” Panelo said.
Nonetheless, Duterte and Xi agreed that there is a need for the expeditious formulation of a Code of Conduct and that this should be done within President Duterte’s term which ends in mid-2022.
“President Duterte was also steadfast in raising with President Xi concerns central to the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which include the ruling held by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. He said that the arbitral award is final, binding and not subject to appeal.”
Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo
“With the Philippines as the designated country coordinator of the Asean-China Dialogue Relations, the Filipino head of state articulated his firm belief that the Code of Conduct would contribute in the resolution of numerous conflicts in the disputed areas of the South China Sea,” according to Panelo.
Both leaders agreed to work together, on the basis of mutual trust and good faith, to manage the South China Sea issue, and to continue to dialogue peacefully in resolving the conflict, he added.
Duterte and Xi also agreed on the importance of self-restraint and respect for freedom of navigation in—and overflight above—the South China Sea.
On the June 9 Recto Bank incident, the President also expressed appreciation that China is ready to provide compensation to the 22 Filipino fishermen who almost lost their lives.
Image credits: How Hwee Young/Pool Photo via AP, How Hwee Young/Pool via AP