Duterte receives China defense chief amid aggression in WPS

President Duterte at the Meeting with State Councilor and Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China General Wei Fenghe (Presidential photo).  (From left to right) Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, Chinese defense chief Gen. Wei Fenghe, President Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Senator Bong Go.

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the disputed South China Sea during the courtesy call of Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe to the chief executive.

“We must always be guided by our commitments in international law. Any and all disputes must be resolved peacefully in full accord with the UNCLOS and all relevant international instruments,” Duterte said, as quoted in a Palace statement.

The President also noted the importance of concluding an “effective and substantial” Code of Conduct over the disputed waters, saying it will be a “lasting legacy” of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.

Wei, for his part, thanked the President and “conveyed the importance with which President Xi Jinping and China accord relations with President Duterte and the Philippines.”

The Chinese defense minister also expressed readiness to work with the Philippines on “maritime cooperation, advance negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and manage differences in order to secure peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

Wei’s visit came as the country opposed China’s continuing aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

His visit to Manila is part of his tour in ASEAN countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

Calls to terminate government contracts with Chinese companies involved in China’s artificial island building on maritime features in the WPS likewise gained traction following the United States’ decision to sanction and blacklist two dozen Chinese companies and associated officials for taking part in building artificial islands in disputed waters in the South China Sea.

EDV