Philippine defence minister doubts China’s intent on South China Sea code

Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro speaks during a joint press conference with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (not pictured) at a hotel in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines,… Purchase Licensing Rights
Published October 14, 2024

MANILA, Oct 14 (Reuters) – The Philippines doubts China’s intention to negotiate a regional code of conduct in the South China Sea although Manila is looking forward to continuing discussions, Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro said on Monday.

Teodoro said that while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had approved “good-faith discussions” with China over the long-delayed code, he doubted Beijing’s sincerity.

“Right now, honestly speaking, I do not see that,” Teodoro told reporters.

China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Southeast Asian leaders called on Sunday for swift agreement on a code of conduct for the South China Sea based on international law, after escalating confrontations in the strategic waterway where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually.

China claims sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The Philippines has complained of Chinese vessels’ use of water cannon, collision and ramming tactics to stop resupply and patrol missions in disputed waters.

The maritime code, which could help avoid such confrontations and prevent conflct, has been mooted for years but talks led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have made slow progress.

 

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SOURCE: www.reuters.com

RELATED: Philippines doubts China’s sincerity in sea code talks

Published October 14, 2024

The Philippines Defense Minister, Gilberto Teodoro, expressed doubts on Monday about China’s intention to negotiate a regional code of conduct in the South China Sea.

“Right now, honestly speaking, I do not see that,” Teodoro told the press while stressing that, despite his doubts, the President of the country, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., had cleared “good-faith discussions” with China.

Southeast Asian leaders urged on Sunday for a prompt consensus on a South China Sea code of conduct grounded in international law following heightened tensions in the vital waterway through which $3 trillion in trade flows each year.

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SOURCE: www.breakingtjenews.net