The summer fishing ban declared by China over the South China Sea, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea, takes effect Wednesday, May 16, amid that country’s continuing standoff with the Philippines over Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal.
But when asked if the ban would mean the withdrawal of Chinese government vessels at Scarborough, the Chinese government would only say they are committed to “diplomatic consultations.”
Although President Benigno Aquino III expressed gratitude for the ban, saying it would allow the replenishment of marine resources in the rich fishing grounds and adding that the Philippines might take similar action, the Department of Foreign Affairs has stressed that it does not recognize the Chinese initiative.
News5 reported that Vietnam has voiced its opposition to China's fishing ban, calling it unilateral and invalid. Vietnam is also a claimant to several areas in the South China Sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, in response to emailed questions coursed through the Chinese embassy in Manila, said: “China has expounded on our positions on the Huangyan Island incident for many times. Our position of committing to diplomatic consultation to settle the issue remains unchanged.”
Huangyan is what China calls the rock formation 120 miles off Zambales.
The Philippines also calls it Bajo de Masinloc.
Hong said the May 16 to August 1 fishing ban has been an administrative measure undertaken by China’s Ministry of Agriculture-Bureau of Fishery Administration “for many years” that is meant “to protect the maritime biological resources in the related waters, having nothing to do with the current Huangyan Island incident.”
On resolving the standoff
He also urged the Philippines to stop publicizing its diplomatic plans and actions after Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario’s latest announcement of a new bilateral initiative to resolve the standoff.
“We have already made it very clear about China’s principles and position on the Huangyan Island issue. The Chinese side urges the Philippine side to concretely respect China’s territorial sovereignty, refrain from any practice that may magnify and complicate the situation, and in particular, keep to diplomatic consultation to address the situation instead of continuing to stir up public opinion and deliver self-contradictory information,” Hong said.
Asked to comment about the public uproar in China over the standoff, with some citizens calling for a military solution to the problem, Hong maintained that China will pursue the diplomatic track.
“The Chinese government is firmly determined to defend China’s territorial sovereignty over the Huangyan Island. At the same time, we are committed to addressing the current situation at the Huangyan Island through diplomatic consultation,” he said.
He gave a similar response when asked about Aquino's pronouncement that he sees a resolution soon.
But when asked if the ban would mean the withdrawal of Chinese government vessels at Scarborough, the Chinese government would only say they are committed to “diplomatic consultations.”
Although President Benigno Aquino III expressed gratitude for the ban, saying it would allow the replenishment of marine resources in the rich fishing grounds and adding that the Philippines might take similar action, the Department of Foreign Affairs has stressed that it does not recognize the Chinese initiative.
News5 reported that Vietnam has voiced its opposition to China's fishing ban, calling it unilateral and invalid. Vietnam is also a claimant to several areas in the South China Sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, in response to emailed questions coursed through the Chinese embassy in Manila, said: “China has expounded on our positions on the Huangyan Island incident for many times. Our position of committing to diplomatic consultation to settle the issue remains unchanged.”
Huangyan is what China calls the rock formation 120 miles off Zambales.
The Philippines also calls it Bajo de Masinloc.
Hong said the May 16 to August 1 fishing ban has been an administrative measure undertaken by China’s Ministry of Agriculture-Bureau of Fishery Administration “for many years” that is meant “to protect the maritime biological resources in the related waters, having nothing to do with the current Huangyan Island incident.”
On resolving the standoff
He also urged the Philippines to stop publicizing its diplomatic plans and actions after Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario’s latest announcement of a new bilateral initiative to resolve the standoff.
“We have already made it very clear about China’s principles and position on the Huangyan Island issue. The Chinese side urges the Philippine side to concretely respect China’s territorial sovereignty, refrain from any practice that may magnify and complicate the situation, and in particular, keep to diplomatic consultation to address the situation instead of continuing to stir up public opinion and deliver self-contradictory information,” Hong said.
Asked to comment about the public uproar in China over the standoff, with some citizens calling for a military solution to the problem, Hong maintained that China will pursue the diplomatic track.
“The Chinese government is firmly determined to defend China’s territorial sovereignty over the Huangyan Island. At the same time, we are committed to addressing the current situation at the Huangyan Island through diplomatic consultation,” he said.
He gave a similar response when asked about Aquino's pronouncement that he sees a resolution soon.
“We have just read the related report. Our related stance remains unchanged. The Chinese side hopes that the Philippine side will address the current situation at the Huangyan Island through diplomatic consultation with the Chinese side,” he said. (with a report from News5)
source: interaksyon.com
source: interaksyon.com
