Chinese vessels are seen around Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. (Photo : Reuters)
China signalled that it is open to holding bilateral talks with the Philippines as the two nations hold their claims over the disputed South China Sea, Reuters reported.
The incoming Philippine government revealed that carrying bilateral talks is now on the table in a bid to resolve the long-standing island and maritime conflicts between the two countries.
China is claiming the entire oil- and gas-rich South China Sea, while the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia hold overlapping claims.
China and the Philippines have a pending arbitration case in an international court in The Hague.
While a ruling is expected within a few months, representatives of the two countries "have conducted face-to-face meetings and have released bilateral political documents to resolve the dispute," Manila-based news website Philstar.com wrote.
"Such agreement was also the solemn commitment in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea jointly signed by the two sides in 2002," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told the press. "Based on the aforementioned consensus, China and the Philippines have effectively controlled the South China Sea dispute through dialogue and consultation."
"It is hoped that the new government of the Philippines will abide by the relevant consensus and commitment, return to the track of bilateral dialogue, work with China to properly deal with the relevant differences and strive for the sound and steady development of bilateral relations," Hua added.
Incoming foreign affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said that conducting bilateral talks with China is a "necessary" move in resolving the sea row conflict.
"I don't think that there is another way of resolving this dispute except talking to each other," Yasay was quoted as saying by local news portal GMA News Online.
"It is my understanding that there are some reasons why bilaterals with China have been suspended for one reason or another," Yasay said. "I do not know the reasons but we certainly would like to make sure that we are be able to resume bilateral talks because these are necessary."
China remains hopeful that the new Philippine government, led by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, will finally resolve the dispute through bilateral talks.
Duterte recently called China's Xi Jinping "a great president" after the latter sent the incoming Philippine leader congratulatory remarks for winning the presidential race, giving hints that the ties between the two nations could be warming up.
