Amid aggravated territorial disputes between Southeast Asian states and China over territorial claims in the South China Sea, Japan plans to boost defense cooperation with the militaries of the Philippines and Vietnam.
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Ramos said Friday that China has welcomed him to visit Beijing for discussions in the wake of last month’s worldwide arbitration panel’s ruling in favor of the Philippines over China’s South China Sea maritime claims.
China claims historic rights to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) through its so-called “nine-dash line”, which was invalidated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague on July 12.
“Maritime order based on the rule of law is indispensable for regional stability and prosperity”, Kishida told reporters, adding that the worldwide community should strive to ensure that long-seething conflicts are resolved peacefully.
Japan called on China to adhere to the ruling, saying it was binding, prompting a warning from China not to interfere.
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Thursday Manila and Tokyo shared the same experience of dealing with Beijing’s “intimidation” at sea. Ramos was president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998.
JAPAN yesterday announced it is pouring a massive $2.4 billion into a new railway in the Philippines aimed at easing Manila’s notorious gridlock.
“The satellite will play an important role in monitoring the marine environment, islands and reefs, and ships and oil rigs”, the China Daily said, citing project leader Xu Fuxiang.
Hua Chunying responded, “China’s position on the issue of Diaoyu Dao is clear and consistent, that is, Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands is an inherent part of China’s territory, and China has indisputable sovereignty over them and the adjacent waters”. “But In the statement, one of the things we said we would explore in the future iyong mga [pertains to] human and ecological security options”, Alunan explained.
Japan searched Friday for eight Chinese crewmembers missing after their fishing boat collided with a cargo ship off disputed islands in the East China Sea, government officials said.
Beijing immediately rejected the ruling, and blamed Japan for stirring up trouble in the region by encouraging other regional actors to put pressure on China to accept the ruling.
The China-Philippines relationship was hurt by an arbitration case unilaterally initiated by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III.
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Mr. Kishida noted that Japan, like the Philippines, is a maritime nation and aims to continue providing support in building up capabilities for security.
