PNoy: Spratlys dispute will not ‘sabotage’ PHL-China ties

Territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) will not “sabotage" the bilateral ties between the Philippines and China, President Benigno Aquino III told Chinese journalists last Friday. “Both would want to champion the national interests, but at the same time we are cognizant of the interest of the other party. So there is a willingness to explore all of these possibilities. I don’t see why the relationships would be sabotaged. I don’t think that it redounds to anybody's interest to have conflict within these disputed areas," Aquino said. The President was interviewed by Chinese media in preparation for his state visit to China on Tuesday. The transcript of the interview was released by the Chinese Embassy on Sunday. Aquino, who is expected to return to the country on Sept. 3, said both the Philippines and China want to resolve the dispute peacefully based on international law. He likened the Philippines and China to a couple who have been married for 50 years but are still getting to know each other. “So, perhaps the conflicts provide an opportunity also to have the test that makes for a stronger relationship… And I guess that it is the interest of both sides to exploit the opportunities that the problem presented," he said. Manila has accused China of intrusions into its territory. The two countries, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, claim territories in the South China Sea, which covers an important shipping route and is thought to hold untapped oil and gas reserves. Aquino said he wants to “mature the relationship" with China through a fruitful dialogue during his state visit, noting that China was the first country to invite him to make a visit after his inauguration last year. “We want to strengthen bilateral relations. We want to try and remove any situations that will induce a conflict between the two countries," he said. Expected to join the President in his state visit are more or less 300 Filipino businessmen, including Filipino-Chinese taipans. — KBK, GMA News