Duterte: China vessels in Julian Felipe Reef not a bar to Philippines-China ties

The intrusion of Chinese vessels in waters off the Julian Felipe Reef is not an obstacle to the friendship between the Philippines and China, President Rodrigo Duterte has said.

In a statement read by presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr., Duterte also cited cooperation between the two countries as regards COVID-19 vaccines and post-pandemic rehabilitation.

"We will continue to resolve the issues on Julian Felipe through diplomatic channels and through peaceful means. Whatever differences we have with China will not define our bilateral relations,” Roque said in a Palace briefing, quoting the President.

“It will not be an obstacle to the overall positive trajectory of our bilateral friendly relations and our deepening cooperation pandemic response, including vaccine cooperation and in post pandemic economic recovery,” he added.

Duterte's remarks came after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Chinese vessels should leave the Julian Felipe Reef as they could no longer stay in the area to seek refuge from inclement weather.

Lorenzana said he should not be taken for a fool.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said the Chinese have long been fishing in the area.

China has repeatedly insisted on its ownership of the entire South China Sea despite the the July 2016 UN Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling rejecting its claim.

The arbitral court also upheld that the Spratly Islands, Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and Recto (Reed) Bank were within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China has donated one million doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines so far.

The Philippine government also plans to purchase another 25 million doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines. Of the 25 million doses, one million have already been delivered last March 29.

The Philippines has 2,525,600 doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far. Of this number, two million doses are Sinovac while the rest are AstraZeneca donated by global initiative COVAX facility.

The Philippines has 143,726 active COVID-19 cases so far.

Of this number, 62,096 were recorded in the National Capital Region in the last 14 days. --NB, GMA News