China willing to help Pinoy fishermen at risk in WPS

China is willing to help Filipino fishermen who would find themselves in trouble while at the West Philippine Sea, according to a report by GMA News' Mariz Umali on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho" on Wednesday.

"For humanitarian assistance, China is always open for whatever who is in trouble in the sea. I have personal experience in helping those caught in typhoon in the South China Sea. For humanitarian consideration, China never closes door," said Luo Jun, deputy director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of People's Government of Guangdong Province.

In response, the Philippine military, through AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padila said, "Thank you for the offer but we can manage."

Umali reported from the Yan Tian Port in China, which is a major port for international trade and wherein millions of dollars worth of goods are exported to various countries. Many of these trade ships ply the disputed South China Sea route.

The Chinese government has heightened security along the route since they built artificial reefs in the area.

Two weeks ago, Filipino fishermen were driven away by Chinese Navy vessels.

Early this week the plane carrying Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año were warned against entering the area as they were about to inspect the Pag-asa island.

Tensions arose as China hit the Philippines for Lorenzana's visit to the island.

"That's part of the Chinese territory. We have different ideas, different view on that. That's why we have a dispute on that. It's not a good way to make the dispute so well-known to the general public by sending defense minister to the island," Luo Jun said.

"I don't think that's a good way to solve the problem to mislead the people, ordinary people who are not aware of the historical fact," he added.

On the other hand, the military said officials have the right to go to the island due to the arbitral ruling.

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit China next month to attend the One Belt, One Road forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping's landmark program to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects including railways, ports and power grids across Asia, Africa and Europe.

However, the dispute over territories is not expected to be among the topics up for discussion between the two countries. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BAP/KG, GMA News