China urges PHL to be discreet in 'words and deeds' over Panatag Shoal

31 May, 2012
GMA

China urged the Philippines to be "discreet in both words and deeds" in resolving their standoff over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, which started in early April.

A news item posted on the Chinese government's web portal said this was the call of Chinese defense minister Liang Guanglie to Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin.

The article said Liang made the call to Gazmin Monday, but was posted only Wednesday on the web portal on the sidelines of the defense ministers' meeting of Southeast Asian countries in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

In the meeting, Liang also urged Manila to make tangible steps toward regional peace and stability.

Liang said he hoped Manila could maintain restraint and give priority to the overall situation, urging the Philippine military to "respect China's sovereignty and stop further provocations."

The meet was the first face-to-face talk for the two defense chiefs, and the highest level meeting between officials from both governments to exchange views on bilateral issues since the standoff started.

The standoff started when Philippine military forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species but were blocked by Chinese vessels when they tried to make arrests.

But Liang insisted it was "the Philippine warship's armed harassment of Chinese fishermen that triggered the Huangyan incident."

"And actions of the Philippines afterwards further complicated the whole issue," he said. China calls the shoal as Huangyan Island.

'Important signals'

On the other hand, the news item quoted Li Guoqiang, deputy director of the Research Center for Chinese Borderland History and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as telling China Daily Liang is sending important signals through his statement.

"The meeting was held between officials of the highest level. And considering Liang's military duties, his statement indicated China’s intention to solve the dispute through political solutions and also demonstrated our capability to protect territorial integrity," he said.

Liang also said that as neighboring countries across the sea, China pays great attention to military relations with the Philippines, and it has taken various measures to improve bilateral contacts.

Gazmin

Gazmin was quoted in the news item as saying he appreciated the meeting, and exchanged views on the sensitive bilateral issue with his Chinese counterpart.

He also said the defense departments of both sides should keep communication lines open to seek a peaceful and proper solution.

While tensions still remain high in the South China Sea, the meeting was "a good thing," said Yang Baoyun, a professor of Southeast Asia studies at Peking University.

Yang added it suggested both sides shared the willingness to ease tension.

"Dialogues between the two defense chiefs prove both sides want to talk to each other. Despite the continuous provocations, Manila actually understands there is no other way but peaceful talks to resolve the issue," he said.

But Yang also warned that Gazmin's call for open communication does not mean Manila has changed its stance.

The China news item said the Philippines has not only turned to the United States for support but also expanded military cooperation with countries such as Japan and India.

Japan sent two training ships to the Philippines for a four-day port call this week and declared it would provide the country with 10 patrol vessels to bolster its maritime and territorial capabilities before the end of the year.

"Washington does not expect the issue to escalate into an armed conflict, but it will be generous with its support. Japan just wants to use the incident to scatter its pressure in the East China Sea," Yang said. — LBG, GMA News