China ties still friendly—DFA

MANILA, Philippines—Despite wrangling over competing territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea, China and the Philippines are increasing exchanges of friendly visits, according to Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Del Rosario on Friday cited the just-concluded goodwill visit to the Philippines of two former Chinese ambassadors, which the Department of Foreign Affairs called “another milestone in the development of bilateral relations” between Manila and Beijing.

In a text message to the Inquirer, Del Rosario said the February 17-23 visit to Manila of Wang Yingfan and Wang Chungui “(puts) substance to the (two Asian neighbors’) initiative on friendly visits.”

During President Benigno Aquino’s state visit to China last year, the Philippine leader and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, declared 2012 and 2013 as the “Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges.”

Del Rosario and Chinese Foreign Secretary Yang Jiechi earlier agreed to maintain close political cooperation, including high-level visits.

In the middle of last year, the DFA chief flew to the Chinese capital on Yang’s invitation amid rising tension over the two countries’ conflicting claims in the Spratlys group of islands in the South China Sea (referred to as the West Philippine Sea in the Philippines).

During his trip to Beijing, Del Rosario and Yang exchanged views on the maritime dispute and agreed “not to let it affect the broader picture of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.”

In January, DFA Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio headed the country’s delegation to the 17th Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) in Beijing.

In a statement, the foreign office expressed confidence more meetings between Manila and Beijing would follow the conference.

In a media forum organized by the Chinese Embassy in Manila, Wang Yingfan said on Wednesday the two countries “should work closely in the fields of  economy, trade, agriculture, infrastructure development, and culture,” among others.

Wang, who headed the embassy from 1988 to 1990, said: “I like the Filipino people. They are very nice, very hospitable. That is why, I like this country.”

“We have built up a strong foundation for our cooperation. We have entered into very practical cooperative agreements in various fields. Our two countries’ economies and trade are very complimentary to each other, as well as the goodwill on both sides,” he said.

Wang said he was “very optimistic that certainly, our two countries will have a closer and more beneficial relationship.”

On the Spratlys dispute between Manila and Beijing, two of the six claimants to the West Philippine Sea island-chain, he pointed out “occasionally, we could quarrel.”

“Like brothers, you can quarrel but it will be better if you quarrel inside the house and we use quiet diplomacy to talk about our differences, our disputes,” Wang said.

He noted that “with the visit of President Aquino to China, the atmosphere has improved.”

“Because through their talks, (Aquino and Hu) enhanced their understanding and friendship. That is why, after the visit and after the consultations of our foreign ministers in January, we have a better atmosphere between us,” Wang added.

China has expressed support for the Aquino administration’s public-private partnership program, which aims at building the Philippines’ public infrastructure using private investors’ funds to free up government money for social services.