The Department of Foreign Affairs said Mr Yasay, representing Mr Duterte, would “discuss within the context of Asem’s agenda the Philippines’ peaceful and rules-based approach on the South China Sea and the need for parties to respect the recent decision”.
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China on Thursday warned of “decisive response” if any provocative action is taken in the South China Sea to enforce an worldwide tribunal’s verdict against Beijing’s expansive claims in the strategic region.
“It will in no way affect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea”.
“Do not turn the South China Sea into a cradle of war”, Liu said, describing the ruling by a tribunal in The Hague on Tuesday as waste paper.
The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping has been increasing efforts to militarize seven artificial islands that his country has built in the South China Sea, thus heightening regional tensions.
Liu told reporters that Beijing is considering establishing an ADIZ over the region it claims, which would require all aircraft entering the zone to identify itself to Beijing before passing through. He also pointed out four of the five members of the panel were selected by a Japanese diplomat who was serving at the United Nations at that time, and one of them was picked by the Philippines.
Chinese President Xi Jinping likewise declared on the same day that China “will never accept” the tribunal’s arbitration.
Chang’s deputy, Lin Cheng-yi (林正義), said the government “will not cooperate with China on the sovereignty issue in the South China Sea”.
China, which boycotted the proceedings, rejected the ruling, calling it “null and void”.
That statement had expressed alarm over Beijing’s activities in the South China Sea.
China now has three airfields – the other on Yongshu, or Fiery Cross, Reef – “accessible to commercial airliners” on the Nansha Islands, also named the Spratly Islands.
The surprisingly strong and sweeping ruling by a UN-backed tribunal in The Hague provided powerful diplomatic ammunition to the Philippines, which filed the challenge.
The United States and Australia were among Philippine allies this week to call on China to respect the ruling.
While the Philippines and Vietnam have been particularly critical of China, Laos and Cambodia are generally regarded as preferring to side with their giant neighbour and benefactor.
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In a dispatch sent by the China Embassy in Banjul to the Daily Observer, which chimes with the official position of the Chinese government, China said it is ready to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with global law.
