PHL underscores robust ASEAN-China strategic partnership; renews call for rules-based approach to solve Spratlys issue
By Faye P. Velasco
MANILA, July 21 (PNA) -- The Philippines on Thursday underscored ASEAN-China relations as “robust, mutually enriching and a strategic partnership” even as it renewed the call for a rules-based approach on the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), also known as the South China Sea.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario issued this statement as he welcomed China’s pledge to realize two-way trade volume of US$ 500 billion and new direct investment from China of US$ 10 billion by 2015 to bolster ASEAN-China economic cooperation as facilitated by the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA).
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Palace welcomes China’s support for legally-binding guideline in Spratlys
MANILA, July 21 (PNA) -- Malacanang welcomes China’s position supporting the creation of a legally-binding guideline that sets the conduct of all the claimant countries in the disputed West Philippine Sea.
“We welcome the development. That’s a step forward. As we always say, we need a rules-based regime in governing our relations there in those disputed areas. So certainly it’s a welcome development for us,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday.
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China, ASEAN move on East Sea issue
JAKARTA, July 21 (PNA/VNA/VNS) — Senior officials of ASEAN member countries and China have adopted draft guidelines for the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the East Sea (DOC) to submit to the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
The participants to the ASEAN-China senior officials' meeting (SOM) in Bali, Indonesia, yesterday applauded the outcome as a significant start for the goal of accelerating the implementation of DOC.
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