Japan and China are locked in a long-running dispute over uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, while Manila and Beijing have overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
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Ohtaka said, however, that “n$3 obody is giving up on Asean yet, a lot of things will be discussed and we will continue to focus on Asean”.
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.
Ramos also met with Wu Shichun, president of China’s National Institute of South China Seas Studies.
Former President and current special envoy to Beijing Fidel Ramos described his recent meeting with Chinese officials in Hong Kong as “very encouraging”.
On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration said China has “no legal basis” to claim historic right within the nine-dash line.
“This is not the kind of action that is mandated by worldwide law”, Yasay told the news conference, referring to what he said the Philippines and Japan saw as Chinese intimidation and provocation in connection with their disputes.
A newly launched high-resolution imaging satellite will help China protect its maritime rights, the official China Central Television (CCTV) broadcaster reported on Wednesday amid growing tensions over disputed territory in the South China Sea.
Ramos said there would be ample opportunities for talks between the two governments at a series of upcoming global gatherings.
China says it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the area it claims and has refused to recognize the court ruling on a case brought by the Philippines.
However both Ramos and Alunan said the Chinese side made no commitments and merely noted their proposals.
Following reports that Filipino fishermen were being harassed by the Chinese Coastguard while fishing in Philippine waters, President Duterte said he conveyed to the Chinese Ambassador during their first meeting in Davao city following his election, his desire for Filipino fishermen to fish in the vicinity of Scarborough shoal.
“As to where this will take place, we don’t know yet”.
China has been exercising de-facto control over the traditional fishing grounds surrounding the shoal after seizing it from the Philippines in 2012.
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“This year, we are celebrating the 60 anniversary of the normalization of our diplomatic ties, I hope that my visit this time will be an important opportunity to further develop our cooperative relations strongly with the new Duterte administration”, he said.
