A direct confrontation between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is not likely at this point because of the involvement of many countries in the territorial row, experts said.
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Carter, who departed the U.S. on Tuesday, is expected to participate in the talks which will primarily focus on what Washington and some regional countries consider as Beijing’s military expansion across the disputed South China Sea.
Duterte pick for foreign secretary, Perfecto Yasay, sounded a conciliatory note this week, saying he would like to resume bilateral talks with China.
The United States disputes China’s sovereignty in the region and has conducted several “freedom of navigation” operations in which it deliberately sails or flies close to the islands, attracting the ire of Beijing.
The Philippines on Monday hailed as critically significant the unified position issued by the G7 leaders of advanced economies, saying it reflects the worldwide community’s understanding and support for Manila’s principled and rules-based approach in addressing the South China Sea row. China’s claim is purportedly based on historic rights, a view that many contend is not consistent with the present 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Law of the Sea Convention).
Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte following the latter’s proclamation on Monday afternoon. A decision is expected this year.
In pushing bilateral talks, Yasay questioned the effectiveness of the Aquino administration’s multilateral approach.
Manila maintained that it will “fully respect the outcome of the tribunal process in good faith”.
“Just because you are building me a railway doesn’t mean I’m abandoning Scarborough Shoal”, he said.
In an angry reaction to U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter’s remarks that “China’s actions could erect a Great Wall of self-isolation” in the South China Sea (SCS), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told media here that “Carter’s remarks reflected typical American style thinking and hegemony”.
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“Our position has always been that the [dispute] does not represent the totality of our bilateral relations and we continue to foster people to people ties”, Coloma also said.
