MANILA, Philippines – Iginiit ng China na patuloy nitong isusulong ang konsultasyon para sa Code of Conduct (COC) sa ASEAN, bilang tugon sa mga naging pahayag ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Sa press conference sa Beijing, tinanong si Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning kaugnay sa ulat na hinimok ni Marcos ang mga lider ng ASEAN na “not to turn a blind eye to developments in the South China Sea.”
“China will continue to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively advance the consultations of the code of conduct in the South China Sea, and jointly make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation,” sinabi ni Mao.
Nitong Huwebes, Oktubre 10, sinabi rin ni Marcos na “there should be more urgency in the pace of the negotiations of the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct” and that “core elements of the COC, such as the milestone issues of geographic scope… and its legal nature to this day remain outstanding.”
Sa kabila nito, ipinanindigan ni Mao na “the situation in the South China Sea is generally stable” kasama ang joint effort ng China at mga bansa sa ASEAN.
“China remains committed to settling maritime differences with countries concerned through dialogue and consultation on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law,” dagdag pa niya.
Ito ay kasunod ng sinabi ni Marcos na ang panggigipit at pananako ng China “demonstrates the continued disregard of international law and standards,” partikular na sa UNCLOS at 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS).
Iginiit ni Mao nitong Huwebes, Oktubre 10 na “China firmly opposes any infringement activities and provocations, and firmly safeguards its own territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.” RNT/JGC