Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin
MANILA, Philippines–Even if both China and the Philippines were faced with “difficult challenges,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin believed that both countries share the view that these would not “undermine the overall relationship” of the two countries as they search for a political and diplomatic means to resolve these differences, with international law as common basis and framework.
Gazmin made the remarks in a speech he delivered at the 85th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Liberation Army of China on Tuesday night at Makati Shangrila Hotel.
He said that their presence in the celebration was a “commitment to keep the lines of communication open” between the defense establishments, as agreed upon during his bilateral meeting with China’s Defense Minister Liang Guanglie.
“I believe that our governments, our peoples and our armed forces have enough goodwill which we should all utilize to further our bilateral relations amidst these difficult times,” Gazmin added.
The territorial dispute between the Philippines and China started on April 10 when the Philippine Navy accused Chinese fishermen of illegal fishing in Scarborough Shoal, located 120 nautical miles west of Zambales, well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone .
The Philippines also protested China’s plan of setting up a military garrison in Sansha City, which will cover the Spratlys. The Philippines is one of the countries which claim portions of Spratlys.
Sansha, which became a prefecture-level city in June, administers over 200 islets, sandbanks and reefs in Xisha (Paracels), Zhingsha(Middle sands) and Nansha (Spratlys) islands.