Disputes among countries over the development of South China Sea
might have been sensitive, but "the question is less complex than
it appears to be". In fact, the Philippines' Foreign Secretary
Alberto G. Romulo thinks there are no obstacles at all in the
development of the sea.
"As late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping said, 'why don't we
convert the area from one of conflict to one of peace, development
and progress?' That is what we are doing now," Romula told
China Daily in Beijing recently.
"We are working together and that's the purpose of a tripartite
agreement on joint seismic undertaking between China, Vietnam and
the Philippines and it's running very well," said Romula, who was
on a three-day official visit to China at the invitation of Foreign
Minister Yang Jiechi.
Oil companies from the three countries signed a landmark
tripartite agreement in Manila on March 15, 2005, to jointly tap
oil and gas resources in the disputed South China Sea. The historic
pact was preceded by a series of peaceful and friendly negotiations
among the South China Sea neighbors.
The agreement proves the three countries are taking steps to
fulfill the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in South
China Sea between China and the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN). Besides, it will help solve the disputes over the
sea, maintain peace and stability and ensure the development of the
region.
Thanks to the pact, despite agreeing with Vietnam in April to
explore the sea for resources, British Petroleum changed its plan
because of China's objection. Beijing has maintained that disputes
should be handled through "equal consultations" on the principle of
"joint development and by putting aside differences".
"We are tackling the security issue (in the region). That's why
we have a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China
Sea," Romulo said. "And that's why we are happy to support the
six-party talks on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the
September 19 and February 13 statements of the six parties."
Romulo flew to Pyongyang on Tuesday after completing his visit
to China. He was expected to meet with the newly appointed foreign
minister of North Korea, Pak Ui-chun, and Supreme People's Assembly
President Kim Yong-nam in Pyongyang.
The Philippines is the "chair of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
and (president of ASEAN). I'm going to invite North Korea to our
discussion scheduled for August in Manila", he said. The ARF is
Asia's only security forum and comprises the 10 ASEAN members and
its security partners, including those involved in the six-party
talks: China, the US, North Korea, South Korea, Japan and
Russia.
The biggest hurdle in the negotiations has hopefully been
overcome with the release of North Korean funds, which were frozen
in Macao-based Banco Delta Asia, he said. That can only help bring
peace to the people in the region.
But will he ask Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program? "We
are going to congratulate them for taking that path. In fact, they
have invited the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) because
they have all the intention to close their nuclear reactor in
Yongbyon." Romulo said. A peaceful resolution of the Korean
Peninsula nuclear issue through "decisive diplomacy and meaningful
dialogue" was imperative.
Talking about cooperation, he said countries in the region would
benefit if they strengthened their trade ties with China. The
Chinese economy is booming, growing at the rate of more than 9
percent a year. It has an international reserve of more than US$1
trillion. "And I think China will continue to have a favorable
trade balance across the world of many more billions of
dollars."
"Between ASEAN and China, there are about almost 2 billion
people. That's a tremendous market, and also (offers) tremendous
opportunities. I think the region would benefit only if there is
interaction and integration among the economies of the region." The
challenge for China, too, is how to strengthen trade ties - with
ASEAN and East Asian countries. "China can help us a lot with our
three goals, that is, the security community, the socio-culture
community and the economic community."
China and the ASEAN plan to create a mutual free trade zone
before 2010 to further boost their trade volume from more than
US$160 billion in 2006 and an estimated US$190 billion this year.
"We hope the China-ASEAN free trade zone will become a reality
before 2010 because that will benefit the entire region."
This visit to China has also given "us an opportunity to hold
talks on how to consolidate Sino-Philippine ties", he said,
referring to talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. The
current period can be described as the "golden age" of bilateral
ties, and hopefully it will become more precious with the passage
of time.
"We have very close relationship in many fields - in regional
and international affairs, in bilateral and people-to-people
relations and of course in trade and investment. All of these are
very important for us to consolidate our ties."
China is helping the Philippines with a US$503 million railway
project by offering low-interest loan through its Export-Import
Bank. It involves the restoration of 70 km of tracks from Caloocan
City to Bulacan, north of Manila. "Work on the project started last
October, and we hope it would be completed early next year," Romulo
said. The railway will benefit a lot of people in the region
because it will make traveling and freight easier.
To elucidate the benefits of smooth movement of goods, Romula
says more than 2 million Chinese live in the Philippines, and they
lead a good life because most of them are in business.
Going a step further, he declared: "Let me say that most of the
Filipinos have Chinese ancestry, so I think there is good
assimilation not only in the business, commercial and economic
life, but also in the political life of the country."
(China Daily June 21, 2007)
