Del Rosario calls China paper warning ‘grossly irresponsible’

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario. AFP/NOEL CELIS

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has dismissed as “grossly irresponsible” a warning issued by one of China’s most popular newspapers that nations involved in territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) – including the Philippines – should “mentally prepare for the sounds of cannons” if they remained at loggerheads with Beijing.

In a text message, Del Rosario told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Wednesday that the daily Global Times’ statement was “in contrast with the Philippine position which seeks a United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea rules-based solution to the West Philippine Sea issue.”

“We would obviously discuss our respective positions on the issue and explore how we could jointly move forward on areas of convergence and seek a solution based on international law, specifically Unclos,” Del Roario added.

The Department of Foreign Affairs chief has repeatedly asserted that a rules-based approach “provided the key to securing the country’s claims to the Spratlys and advancing the peaceful settlement of conflicts” in the disputed waters.

Del Rosario emphasized “where there are disputes, rules provide an effective tool for peaceful and fair resolution.”

He also stressed that the Philippine government policy was “grounded on an unwavering adherence to international law.”

Since international law must be observed, Del Rosario said “it behooves the Philippines to embrace this imperative to the fullest.”

“We expect nothing less from our international partners,” he added, referring to the other Spratlys claimants – China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam.

In an editorial published Tuesday in its Chinese and English editions, the tabloid-sized Global Times accused countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam of taking advantage of China’s “mild diplomatic stance” to push their own agenda.

“If these countries don’t want to change their ways with China, they will need to mentally prepare for the sounds of cannons. We need to be ready for that, as it may be the only way for the disputes in the seas to be resolved,” said the paper’s strongly-worded editorial.

It noted that “currently, China’s mainstream understanding is that it should first go through the general channels of negotiating with other countries to solve sea disputes.”

“But if a situation turns ugly, some military action is necessary,” it also wrote.

The Global Times is owned by the Communist Party mouthpiece The People’s Daily and has a reputation for publishing strident and nationalistic editorials that are often highly critical of foreign governments and even Chinese officials.

In a report, Reuters the other day quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu as having said, “China’s media have the right to freely say what they like, but we hope that they play a constructive role and deliver a truthful message.”

She reiterated that the Chinese government was committed to a peaceful policy towards the Spratlys issue.

Beijing, which claims it has indisputable sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, has rejected international arbitration of the conflicting claims. Instead, it proposed joint development of the resources in the disputed waters, which straddle a key global trading route and are believed to have rich deposits of oil and natural gas.

The South China Sea is also a rich fishing ground.

Originally posted at 12:48 pm | Wednesday, October 26, 2011