Philippines releases photos of Chinese vessels before ASEAN-China meeting
The Philippines released photos of alleged Chinese ships in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Wednesday before leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations met China in Vientiane.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press conference on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr approved the release of the photos as authorized by President Rodrigo Duterte.
There were 10 ships, four of them Chinese Coast Guard vessels, in the picture taken last September 3, the defense department said in a separate briefing.
Last week Duterte disclosed Chinese barges were sighted near Scarborough Shoal, which is within the Philippines’ 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone. China claims it through its nine-dash line which was thumbed down by a Netherlands-based international court. The ship’s presence fueled speculation China may be preparing dredging activities.
“The president and the secretary of national defense felt that we should let the people know that we are aware of the activities that are happening around Bajo de Masinloc,’ said Arsenio Andolong, defense department spokesman.
The leaders, including Duterte, brought up the South China Sea issue. Duterte, according to Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. “Put words into action and be on the side of peace,” Andanar said, quoting Duterte. .The photos disproved the claim of Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua that there were no Chinese ships near the shoal.
In a press conference at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Duterte mentioned during the ASEAN-China meeting that international disputes should inspire countries to work together adhering to the rule of law and international bodies.
“Put words into action and be on the side of peace,” said Andanar, quoting Duterte.
Asked how Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang reacted to Duterte's statement, he said, "he was stoically listening."
In Manila, the Chinese embassy denied China was undertaking reclamation work on the disputed Scarborough Shoal, insisting the “situation has not changed” in that area.
“There are no dredging or building activities there,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement, referring to earlier reports it started construction activities on the shoal.
The Philippines and other ASEAN countries has a territorial dispute with China, which has been claiming almost the entire South China Sea.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's nine-dash line in the South China Sea has no legal basis but China refused to honor it.
While Singapore is not one of the claimants in the South China Sea, Andanar said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned the issue can be turned into the region's advantage by placing importance to common goals.
Lee proposed a guideline to the hotline communications between foreign ministers, and the framework of a code of conduct should be initiated this year, he said.
Andanar said Duterte expressed his approval of having the framework of code of conduct initiated.
Abella said, "the hotline between the different foreign affairs ministers of the different ASEAN countries should happen as soon as possible."
Andanar said Indonesia President Joko Widodo stressed the need to contribute to peace in ASEAN-China relations through maritime cooperation and not to allow the South China Sea issue to be a platform for power projection. Celerina Monte, Robina Asido
