China wants PH to drop arbitration case to heal diplomatic wounds

A China Coast Guard vessel attempts to block a Philippine government vessel as the latter tries to enter the China Second Thomas Disputed Shoals, locally known as Ayungin Shoal, to orate Philippine troops and resupply provisions Saturday, March 29, 2014. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The new Chinese Ambassador to the Manila urged the Philippines to set aside its United Nations (UN) arbitration case over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute in order to bring back the good relations of both countries.

“The current difficulties in the bilateral relations, caused by some problems including the arbitration case on the South China Sea issue, are not what the Chinese side wishes to see, and are not in the common interests of both China and the Philippines,” Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said in a statement after he presented his credentials to President Benigno Aquino III Tuesday.

“It is China’s hope that the Philippine side could, in the spirit of seeking common grounds while shelving differences, work with the Chinese side to properly handle relevant disputes, and to overcome obstacles and bring the bilateral ties back to the normal track of development,” he said.

The Philippines on March 30 submitted its memorial to the UN arbitration court seeking to invalidate China’s nine-dash line claim that covers nearly the entire South China Sea including portions of the Philippine 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

China has expelled Filipino fishermen from Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal) off the coast of Zambales and has prevented the Philippine Navy from conducting troop resupply and rotation operations on the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Group of Islands.

China has refused to participate in the arbitration case and insists on bilateral talks to resolve the maritime dispute.

Zhao arrived in Manila on February 23 and presented the copy of the Letter of Credence to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on March 7.

Zhao and Aquino exchanged views on China-Philippines relations and the South China Sea issue during their brief meeting after the presentation of credentials.

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