Ramos, the country’s Special Envoy to China, has been tasked to initiate talks with the Chinese after the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s claims to the South China Sea have no basis in global law.
Advertisement
Kishida said Japan, while not a claimant in the South China Sea, would continue to cooperate closely with “relevant countries” for the peaceful resolution of maritime rows.
The collision took place “in global waters approximately 67 kilometers northwest of Uotsuri Island of the Senkaku Islands”, according to Japan’s MOFA.
Ramos says China has welcomed him to come to Beijing for discussions in the wake of July 12 global arbitration panel’s ruling in favor of the Philippines over China’s South China Sea maritime claims.
Ramos said in a statement that he met Madam Fu Ying, a former ambassador to Manila who now chairs the foreign affairs committee of the National People’s Congress. Fu also acknowledged Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s willingness to resolve the dispute through talks.
China has conducted massive reclamation in the South China Sea, with a US-based think tank releasing images this week showing what appears to be Beijing building military aircraft hangars on disputed reefs.
Carpio sees the move as a “way forward” and a “win-win” solution to the territorial disputes that involves the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
“We’re in the middle of a dialogue between the two sides, they are still discussing details and we need a little more time”.
“There was no discussion on that particular aspect, except to mention equal fishing rights”, said Ramos.
While the arbitration case had been filed by Duterte’s predecessor Benigno Aquino III, the new leader has said he would not “flaunt” the ruling as he seeks to improve relations for practical reasons, including an offer by China to build a railway in the archipelago.
“We are very concerned”, Ohtaka said, adding that developments in the East China Sea could parallel those in the South China Sea, where Beijing has stepped up the constant presence of its coast guard ships.
Relations between Manila and Beijing were strained after the Philippines sought the global arbitration to resolve the dispute. China has never recognized the global court’s jurisdiction, and continues to prevent Philippine fishermen entering traditional fishing grounds claimed by Beijing.
Ex-President Fidel Ramos – a longtime advocate of closer Philippine-Chinese ties – was sent as a conciliatory envoy by Manila.
Advertisement
Mr Ramos said the talks were “very encouraging”.
