Palace spokesman: China should practice what it preaches on restraint

The Philippines on Saturday urged China to practice what it preaches on restraint over the continued standoff at the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda made the call after a Chinese newspaper criticized Manila for its supposed illegal occupation of islands belonging to China. “(We) have exercised restraint and prudence in our statement. It would be good if our Chinese counterparts would also assist Chinese media ... and in the interest of not sowing unneeded tensions between the two countries,” Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio. He said the Philippines has been “prudent from the very start” in order not to escalate the tension in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The standoff between the Philippines and China started last April after Philippine military forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species from the area. But before the Philippine Navy team could make arrests, Chinese vessels blocked their path. Earlier reports quoted an opinion piece on China Daily as claiming the month-long standoff in the Panatag Shoal was a ploy by the Philippine government to trick China into recognizing its occupation of the islands and islets including the Panatag Shoal. A news item posted on the Chinese government's web portal Wednesday said China urged the Philippines to be "discreet in both words and deeds" in resolving their standoff. Chinese defense minister Liang Guanglie was quoted in the article as making the call to his Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin. The two met last Monday. The Chinese government article said Liang also urged Manila to make tangible steps toward regonal peace and stability. Liang said he hoped Manila could maintain restraint and give priority to the overall situation, urging the Philippine military to "respect China's sovereignty and stop further provocations." MOnday's meeting was the first face-to-face talk for the two defense chiefs, and the highest level meeting between officials from both governments to exchange views on bilateral issues since the standoff started. Also, the news item quoted Li Guoqiang, deputy director of the Research Center for Chinese Borderland History and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, as telling China Daily Liang is sending important signals through his statement. "The meeting was held between officials of the highest level. And considering Liang's military duties, his statement indicated China’s intention to solve the dispute through political solutions and also demonstrated our capability to protect territorial integrity," he said. Liang also said that as neighboring countries across the sea, China pays great attention to military relations with the Philippines, and it has taken various measures to improve bilateral contacts. Gazmin was quoted in the news item as saying he appreciated the meeting, and exchanged views on the sensitive bilateral issue with his Chinese counterpart. He also said the defense departments of both sides should keep communication lines open to seek a peaceful and proper solution. — LBG, GMA News