I do not intend to raise the issue before Asean because if I do, there’s going to be a convoluted thing there”, Duterte said.
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Speaking at the inauguration of the Davao International Container Terminal, Duterte credited his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, for securing the United Nations tribunal ruling. The judgment in favour of the Philippines was given on July 12.
In recent years, China has contributed over 25 percent of global economic growth, with ideas like innovation, invigoration, interconnection and inclusiveness receiving active responses from other countries.
“Both sides also called on all states to resolve disputes through peaceful means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability, respect the diplomatic and legal processes, fully observe the Declaration on the Conduct of parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and soon finalize the Code of Conduct (COC)”, the joint statement said. Beijing refuses to recognize the decision.
The President however clarified that a military confrontation with China was out of the question.
“I am not ready to exchange barbs with China… Then trade in this part of that alley there, that corridor, would go up”, he said.
DAVAO CITY-President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to summon the Chinese Ambassador after seeing surveillance photos presented by the Defense department showing what appeared to be construction of a military base on Scarborough Shoal.
Earlier, the Asean together with China forged a deal under the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea” signed at Phnom Penh in 2012, which urged countries to respect the commitment to the freedom of navigation without resorting to violence as provided by global law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The US has said it will continue naval patrols near the reefs and outcrops China claims to assert the principle of freedom of navigation, a move which has angered Beijing.
At some point, he said, China will have to stop its words of denial and accept the ruling. “There will be a time when I have to make a stand and I have to make it clear to China, ‘You know every time you talk about sole ownership or even entitlements there, it’s something which is totally unacceptable to us, ‘” he said. “Parang naghamon ka (It’s like you’re challenging us)”, said the President.
Duterte said he was proceeding with the right drift as he did want any trouble with China.
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“I do not want to ignite anything there. I’m the guy who blurts out anything that enters my mind”, he said.
