Pagtatalo ng China at Pinas sa WPS: Bilateral consultation, friendly communication, kailangan

SINABI ng China na ang pagtatalo nila ng Pilipinas sa usapin ng West Philippine Sea ay mangangailangan ng “bilateral consultation and friendly communication.”

“We are two neighbors who have some differences, but what is crucial is the way and manner we handle the differences. We need to manage our differences with bilateral consultation and friendly communication,” ayon kay China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian sa isinagawang turnover ng iba’t ibang broadcast equipment na dinonate ng China kay Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.

Tinanong kasi si Huang hinggil sa naging hakbang ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) na ipatawag ang senior official ng Chinese Embassy sa Pilipinas bilang bahagi ng protesta makaraan ang umano’y “harassment” ng Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) sa isang Philippine vessel na nagsasagawa lamang ng research activity sa bahagi ng West Philippine Sea.

Ayon sa statement ng DFA, nagsasagawa na rin sila ng pag-review sa impormasyon sa naturang insidente para sa paghahain ng panibagong diplomatic action.

Sinabi ng DFA ang hakbang ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas ay gagawin lalo na kung merong paglabag ang mga barko ng China sa soberenya ng Pilipinas at pagsagka sa karapatan ng bansa sa maritime jurisdiction.

Binigyang diin pa ng DFA na anumang illegal activities ng mga dayuhan sa paligid ng Ayungin Shoal ay dapat na maging sentro ng diplomatic protests dahil sa ito ay nasa sovereign rights at jurisdiction ng bansa.

Ito rin umano ay bahagi ng exclusive economic zone (EEZ) at continental shelf ng Pilipinas na pinagtibay noong 2016 Award sa international arbitration.

“I would refer you to the statement of the Secretary of Defense just recently. We have been in communication with them in a diplomatic and peaceful manner as part of our joint efforts to secure peace and stability in South China Sea,” ang tugon naman ni Huang.

Tinukoy ni Huang si Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

“As Secretary Lorenzana said, diplomacy works well and we continue to manage our differences with diplomatic and peaceful means,” dagdag na pahayag ni Huang.

Sinabi pa ni Huang, nananatili ang magandang relasyon ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sa Chinese counterpart nito at vice versa.

“PCG maintains good communication with the Chinese Coast Guard. The Commandant of the Chinese Coast Guard visited here two weeks after my arrival in this beautiful country and they had a very good exchange of views. China has also received delegation from PCG,” ayon kay Huang.

“It would be very important for them to maintain this kind of friendly exchanges and cooperation so they can perform their duty which promotes our bilateral relations as well as peace and stability in South China Sea,” aniya pa rin. (Daris Jose)