(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte was “steadfast” in raising issues on the South China Sea, including the arbitral ruling that invalidated the nine-dash line delineating China’s expansive claims there, during his meeting with China President Xi Jinping on Thursday night.
But in response to Duterte, who had noted that the arbitral award was “final, binding and not subject to appeal,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Xi “reiterated his government’s position of not recognizing the arbitral ruling as well as not budging from its position.”
“While their variant positions will have to remain, their differences however need not derail nor diminish the amity between the two countries,” Panelo said.
According to Panelo, the two leaders “shared the view that the contentious issue is not the sum total of the Philippines-Chinese bilateral relationship.”
“They likewise are on the same page on the belief that the foundation and future of their countries’ friendship cannot be anchored to their respective positions on the subject, and that the basis of their ties is their centuries old friendship as well as the benefits that will redound to their peoples by virtue of their cooperation,” he said.
In the end, Panelo said the two agreed to work together “on the basis of mutual trust and good faith, to manage the South China Sea issue, and to continue to dialogue peacefully in resolving the conflict.”
They also agreed on the “importance of self-restraint and respect for freedom of navigation in – and overflight above – the South China Sea,” Panelo said.
In fact, he said the President raised the need for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea “to contribute (to) the resolution of numerous conflicts in the disputed areas of the South China Sea,” a suggestion Xi accepted.
Xi said the code should, however, be completed within the remaining years of Duterte’s term.
As for the proposed joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea, Xi said a steering committee has already been created to prepare a “substantive program on the matter.”
Panelo said both leaders also talked about the Recto Bank incident, with President Duterte taking note that “the China side has recognized and confirmed the responsibility of the Chinese fishing crew.”
The President, Panelo said, also “expressed appreciation of China’s readiness to provide compensation to our fishermen who almost lost their lives.”
Panelo said the Philippines and China also exchanged agreements on cooperative measures and assistance in the key areas of education, science and technology and economic development.
Overall, Panelo said the President’s meeting with Xi “went well.”
“The President’s activities on the second day of his official visit here in China are a reflection of continued good faith and warm friendship between the two presidents, and undoubtedly, a testament to the enhanced and enduring bond between the Philippines and China,” he said.
The President is slated to end his China trip on Sept. 2.
