South China Sea issue not to affect China-Philippines cooperation: ministers

[TaiShang]

South China Sea issue not to affect China-Philippines cooperation: ministers

VIENTIANE, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The South China Sea issue does not determine all aspects of China-Philippines relations and will not affect bilateral cooperation in economic, trade and investment fields, ministers from the two countries agreed on Friday.

China and Philippines have the capability and wisdom to solve the issue on the existing basis through bilateral negotiation and the consultation mechanism between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng after meeting with his Philippine counterpart Ramon Lopez in the Lao capital.

The meeting has focused on measures to further recover and develop economic and trade relations between the two countries, Gao told media on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting that kicked off here Wednesday.

Gao said both Lopez and he agreed that the two countries should restart the China-Philippines joint economic and trade committee, an important mechanism on bilateral trade and economic cooperation, which has been stalled for five years.

The new Philippine administration has repeatedly expressed willingness to improve relations with China through bilateral channels and direct dialogues, which created favorable condition for bilateral cooperation in a number of areas, said the Chinese minister.

The two sides also had an in-depth and extensive exchange of views on bilateral cooperation on trade, two-way investment, infrastructure construction, tourism, trade facilitation and certain industries, he said.

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[Cossack25A1]

It already affected the livelihoods of the Filipino fishermen and we would rather look at other countries in Asia-Pacific to trade with.

 

[Jlaw]

LOL, Gao and Lopez are true politicians as they can make that type of statement.

 

[TheTheoryOfMilitaryLogistics]

It already affected the livelihoods of the Filipino fishermen and we would rather look at other countries in Asia-Pacific to trade with.

Good,I don't like philipine bananas and mangos.

 

[Cossack25A1]

Good,I don't like philipine bananas and mangos.

And we don't like your substandard products.

 

[sword1947]

And we don't like your substandard products.

burn all Chinese product in your house and promise you will never buy any Chinese product from now on, please

 

[ahojunk]

Commentary: Ramos' China visit marks Manila's first step in right direction over South China Sea
Source: Xinhua 2016-08-08 12:59:51

by Wang Haiqing

BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos on Monday starts a trip to China, after months of tension between the two countries as a result of Manila's headstrong arbitration quest on the South China Sea. Ramos' visit brings a whiff of hope that the two countries will return to bilateral negotiations over the issue.

Ramos is probably the best choice for the job of breaking ice since he is a revered statesman widely respected in his own country and in Asia. His long history of friendly exchanges with China also gives him a unique advantage in helping revive chilly bilateral ties.

China has long insisted that the South China Sea disputes be resolved via bilateral talks and that parties involved refrain from moves that could further complicate the issue.

However, the Aquino administration, in disregard of regional consensus and his country's previous agreements with China, pushed for an ill-founded arbitration case with regard to its disputes with China over the South China Sea.

The lengthy process, which culminated in an absurd ruling by an international tribunal on July 12, severely damaged not only the relations between China and the Philippines, but also the prospects of lasting peace in the vast body of waters surrounded by a number of Asian countries.

So it is really a relief that President Rodrigo Duterte, who was recently sworn in, chose to distance himself from the arbitration case and showed a series of positive gestures toward China.

That said, it is still worth mentioning that the Manila-initiated arbitration case is nothing more than an abuse of international law and the deeply biased ruling on the case should have no place whatsoever in future bilateral talks over the South China Sea issue between China and the Philippines.

Ramos' visit, which represents the first concrete step on the Philippine side to engage in bilateral talks with China on the South China Sea, could open a new chapter in settling disputes.

But a return to the normal track of settlement depends largely on the sincerity of the Philippines. Decision makers in Manila should know that the fragile relations with Beijing could hardly take another hit.