China says to continue negotiation with PHL to settle sea issue

BEIJING - China is willing to continue negotiation with the Philippines to properly settle the issues on the South China Sea, said a Foreign Ministry spokesman on Thursday.

Spokesman Geng Shuang made the remarks at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

"The China-Philippines relations have been improving over the past year. The two countries have come back to the right track of dialogue, consultation and negotiation by establishing a bilateral consultation mechanism," said Geng.

The first meeting of the mechanism was held in May this year, she added, and that under the joint efforts of China and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including the Philippines, the situation in the South China Sea had become sound and stable.

"The framework of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea has also been achieved. All the positive development is in line with the common interests of the peoples of the two countries, and the common expectations of the countries in the region. It is an irresistible trend of the time," said Geng.

Also, though China was still asserting its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, it was committed to peacefully resolving the relevant disputes through negotiation and consultation with the countries directly concerned, including the Philippines, and working with the ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

"China is willing to continue to properly settle the issues on the South China Sea through dialogue and negotiation with the Philippines, and further foster a favorable atmosphere for the development of China-Philippines relations and the advancement of related cooperation," said the spokesman.

The Philippine Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the South China Sea on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the South China Sea arbitration case.

The Chinese government refuses to recognize the award by the arbitral tribunal on the South China Sea, insisting that the dispute should be settled through bilateral negotiations. — Reuters