PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte vowed Monday that the Philippines would continue to “peacefully engage” with China to lower tensions in the South China Sea, saying that bilateral meetings that would be held for the first time on May 17 were a step in the right direction towards settling the territorial dispute between the two countries.
“It is important to keep our communication lines open. I am pleased that we have established a bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea. This is one step forward toward peacefully engaging disputes and I hope the inaugural meeting will be a success,” Duterte told President Xi Jinping during their meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
Formed during President Duterte’s first trip to China last year, the bilateral consultative mechanism (BCM) will see Filipino and Chinese officials meet for the first time from May 18 to 19 to tackle the South China Sea dispute.
Manila’s Ambassador to Beijing, Jose Santiago Sta. Romana will lead the Philippine delegation during the bilateral discussions, while China will be represented by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua.
Duterte said the mechanism should be used to strengthen relations between the two countries.
“We have signed many agreements and resumed bilateral dialogue mechanisms, such as the foreign ministry consultation. These are steps… in the right direction,” Duterte said.
Foreign Affairs Executive Director Evangeline Ong said the bilateral consultative mechanism would allow both countries to separate the tracks where they cooperate well, and where they have problems.
For his part, Xi said the relations between the Philippines and China have improved since Duterte’s state visit in October 2016.
As both countries try to write a “new chapter of collaboration,” Duterte signed four agreements on power, human resource development, finance and communications when he met with President Xi and Prime Minister Li Kequiang on the sidelines of the One Belt, One Road Forum at Beijing.
Duterte said his visit to China affirmed mutual interests in furthering the partnership between Manila and Beijing.
“I am pleased to be back in Beijing upon invitation of your government. We have yet another important opportunity to take stock of our relations and the progress we made during my state visit,” he said.
“As I’ve said before the Philippines and China are writing a new chapter of collaboration in these modern times. Allow me to highlight the following: on strengthening bilateral relations, my state visit last year reaffirms our mutual interest in furthering our partnership,” he added.
Following President Duterte’s visit to Beijing in October, Duterte was able to forge a tentative fisheries agreement with China that enabled Filipino fishermen to enter the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
Members of his economic team said that while the Philippines is not giving up its sovereignty, the disputes should not stop the country from forging trade and economic ties with other claimant countries like China.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said that during the Leaders’ Roundtable for the One Belt, One Road Forum in Beijing, Duterte spoke of “concrete proposals on generating economic growth and tackling global economic challenges” and emphasized his administration’s commitment to bring inclusive growth in the Philippines.
Duterte also pitched his ambitious P8-trillion plan that would use high-impact projects to create jobs and bring down the cost of doing business through logistical and infrastructure support.
The President also spoke of attempts to modernize agriculture and expand industrialization to give farmers, producers and manufacturers more efficient and cost-effective access to internal and external markets, the DFA said.
For the President, the Philippine approach “can complement regional and international connectivity mechanisms, such as China’s One Belt, One Road initiative and the Asean Master Plan on Connectivity.
Duterte also referred to enforcement of laws to address the illegal drug trade and stressed his determination to combat corruption.
Duterte cited the need for “clean and green” infrastructure construction, saying that the environment should be the strong foundation upon which infrastructure is built.
On Sunday, Duterte met with Mongolian Prime Minister Jargaltulga Erdenebat on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.
In discussing regional developments, Duterte expressed his view that peace is better served when there is more participation by stakeholders in the region. He welcomed Mongolia’s growing ties with the region, saying that he felt that a closer partnership with Asean would be desirable.
Mongolia is host to more than 200 Filipinos, a number of whom work in professional services.