Philippines & China agree to hold regular talks on Spratlys

[Lankan Ranger]

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Philippines & China agree to hold regular talks on Spratlys

Philippines and China agreed to hold regular discussions promoting trust and confidence between each other, which are also geared at finding a common ground in connection with the Spratlys issue.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin this morning received People’s Republic of China State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Gen. Liang Guanglie.

Both acknowledged the need to ensure peace at the South China Sea.

In a statement, Department of National Defense spokesman Eduardo Batac said “both ministers expressed hope that the implementing guidelines of the 2002 Declaration of Conduct would soon be finalized and agreed upon, that responsible behavior of all parties in the South China Sea issue would help keep the area stable while all parties work for the peaceful resolution…”

In 2002, China and the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed a non-binding code of conduct to restrain claimant-states from conducting military activities and other provocative actions that could raise tension in the area.

The two sides are also holding talks on a set of guidelines to implement an informal code of conduct in the South China Sea, a step towards a formal and legal agreement in the disputed territories.

China and the Philippines are among six states laying claim on Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, a territory believed to be sitting in rich deposits of oil, gas and minerals. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan are the other claimant states.

“Both ministers recognized that unilateral actions which could cause alarm should be avoided,” Batac said.

Both nations had a near encounter in the West Palawan area early this year. Chinese fishermen were arrested last March with their catch of fish and sea turtles.

“It is also useful to continuously build confidence and cultivate trust between their respective defense ministers and ministeries and their armed forces,” Batac added.

Liang heads a China delegation, which is on a 3-country visit to Southeast Asia.

China, PH agree to hold regular talks on Spratlys | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

[HongWu]

This means they agreed on nothing. The Philippines really want a conflict. China needs to bomb the Philippines bases in our Nansha Islands using our new H-6K to kick out the invaders.

[HongWu]

Philippines is taking a hard stance against China and talking openly about war.

President Aquino wants to convey to the Chinese Defense Minister that incidents, like the recent Chinese intrusion in Reed Bank, should be minimized, “or there could be conflict.”

President Aquino to bring up intrusion with China

The Philippines must have a secret pact with USA for USA to come to its help with aircraft carriers. But if China lands and occupies Manilla, then US Navy will be useless. The only way forward for China is use plans for invasion of Taiwan instead for an invasion of Manila's main island -- Luzon.

[CardSharp]

This means they agreed on nothing. The Philippines really want a conflict. China needs to bomb the Philippines bases in our Nansha Islands using our new H-6K to kick out the invaders.

Give it a rest.

[ao333]

I've always found it interesting how the Filipino and Chinese communities in Canada are extremely homogeneous.

[AViet]

We should use either the name "Truong Sa" (in Vietnamese) or "Nan Sa" in Chinese, rather than Spratlys when addressing this islands. No one in Vietnam know and use this name.

[HongWu]

It looks like Philippines has surrendered to China. Its defense minister admitted that they are too weak to fight China and they can only protest diplomatically.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/can...?docId=6937258

They are smart enough to realize they will lose big-time if they get involved in a clash between superpowers China and USA! Just like India realized it (MMRCA reject USA). Just like Taiwan (KMT reject USA), and South Korea (too afraid to fight), and Vietnam (too afraid to fight).

Now they only Asian country left standing against China is Japan. Is it time to press for Ryukyu independence? Could China join hands with Russia and North Korea to finish off Japan after the earthquake and tsunami has weakened it?

[CardSharp]

We should use either the name "Truong Sa" (in Vietnamese) or "Nan Sa" in Chinese, rather than Spratlys when addressing this islands. No one in Vietnam know and use this name.

That's a problem considering which ever side gets their name on the islands would have an advantage in negotiating a settlement. The Europeans that named them aren't there to contend for them anymore so the English name seems like a reasonable middle ground.

[AViet]

That's a problem considering which ever side gets their name on the islands would have an advantage in negotiating a settlement. The Europeans that named them aren't there to contend for them anymore so the English name seems like a reasonable middle ground.

You can address this island in English name because it is relatively alien to you as well as to most Chinese, while Truong Sa and Hoang Sa names are in our blood, therefore we never call them in English names.
Since 16th century, as far as I remember, Le dynasty did geological works in both these islands and in 19th century, Nguyen dynasty sent regularly military teams to them every year.

[faithfulguy]

It looks like Philippines has surrendered to China. Its defense minister admitted that they are too weak to fight China and they can only protest diplomatically.

The Canadian Press: Philippine defence chief says military too weak to stop potential foreign intrusions

They are smart enough to realize they will lose big-time if they get involved in a clash between superpowers China and USA! Just like India realized it (MMRCA reject USA). Just like Taiwan (KMT reject USA), and South Korea (too afraid to fight), and Vietnam (too afraid to fight).

Now they only Asian country left standing against China is Japan. Is it time to press for Ryukyu independence? Could China join hands with Russia and North Korea to finish off Japan after the earthquake and tsunami has weakened it?

I'm glad you are not making the foreign policy for China. Otherwise, WWIII is coming. Why fighting against anyone and everyone if you can develop trade and create wealth? Don't be foolish and ask for war when you can ask for wealth. Like all countries, china should seek friendship and development with its neighbors instead of war, which is what its trying to do now.

[ao333]

I'm glad you are not making the foreign policy for China. Otherwise, WWIII is coming. Why fighting against anyone and everyone if you can develop trade and create wealth? Don't be foolish and ask for war when you can ask for wealth. Like all countries, china should seek friendship and development with its neighbors instead of war, which is what its trying to do now.

Don't concern yourself with him. He's probably a middle school patriot who learned crappy English at an international school. But then again, it's not very patriotic to learn a foreign language.

[Aquino No.1]

Well, if the Vietnamese and Chinese think they could challenge the Philippians power then keep going ahead, we are enjoy to fight with you until the winning, we are the most powerful and experienced army in the region, the U.S. has trained us many great combat fighting lessons for many years, if you want to taste the bitter taste of loosing a war, then please just coming and enjoy your blooding nose.

[ao333]

Well, if the Vietnamese and Chinese think they could challenge the Philippians power then keep going ahead, we are enjoy to fight with you until the winning, we are the most powerful and experienced army in the region, the U.S. has trained us many great combat fighting lessons for many years, if you want to taste the bitter taste of loosing a war, then please just coming and enjoy your blooding nose.

Are you on crack? The Japanese Self-Defense Force probably has enough combat ships to occupy Philippines... Again...

[Star√ation]

Well, if the Vietnamese and Chinese think they could challenge the Philippians power then keep going ahead, we are enjoy to fight with you until the winning, we are the most powerful and experienced army in the region, the U.S. has trained us many great combat fighting lessons for many years, if you want to taste the bitter taste of loosing a war, then please just coming and enjoy your blooding nose.

Thanks for years of fighting with local terrorist and separatist groups.

[Aquino No.1]

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Are you on crack? The Japanese Self-Defense Force probably has enough combat ships to occupy Philippines... Again...

Are you represent the Japanese?

Thanks for years of fighting with local terrorist and separatist groups.

Well, as I ave said your Vietnamese are always looking down on us in everything from culture to economy and even skin color but we don't care, we love to make your nose bloody as we used to do to your men both in Vietnam war and modern sea skirmishes. Please ask your Viet Cong veterans how our brave Filipinos fighting battles in your soil with the U.N. before 1975, I bet they will **** their pants wet when hearing you reminding them about us.