Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated his government does not recognize the arbitral ruling that invalidated the nine-dash line claim and remains unmoved in his position during his meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in China last week.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte raised the issue during the bilateral meeting with Xi at the Diaoyutai State Guest House.
“President Duterte was also steadfast in raising with President Xi concerns central to the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which include the ruling held by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. He said that the arbitral award is final, binding and not subject to appeal,” Panelo said in a statement.
He said the two leaders “agreed to disagree” and “their differences however need not derail nor diminish the amity between the two countries.”
“Both leaders 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,” said Panelo.
“President Duterte and President Xi agreed on the importance of self-restraint and respect for freedom of navigation in – and overflight above – the South China Sea,” he added.
On the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, Xi pledged that the document would be crafted during Duterte’s time in office.
And on the matter of the possible joint exploration between the Philippines and China in the West Philippines Sea, “President Xi for his part said that the steering committee created for that purpose should prepare a substantive program on the matter,” Panelo explained.
“As regards the Recto Bank incident, PRRD took note of the fact that the China side has recognized and confirmed the responsibility of the Chinese fishing crew. He expressed appreciation of China’s readiness to provide compensation to our fishermen who almost lost their lives,” Panelo added.
Photo credit: Robinson Niñal/Presidential Photo
