The Government of China spoke on the issue regarding the building of defense in Spratlys Island.
CHINA – The Chinese Government expressed its side on the issue regarding the deployment of defense facilities in Spratlys Island.
Recently, a news report in Manila Bulletin stated that the government of China asserted its right to deploy defense facilities needed on islands of South China Sea and as well as the construction being a sovereign state under the international statute.
Based on the news report, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hua Chunying, encouraged the related parties at a media briefing in Beijing to face the matter in a way that is reasonable and objective and ‘not read too much into it’.
Furthermore, it is stated that China’s declaration was a reaction to the response of Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay Jr. to a think tank based in the United States.
The said think tank claimed that weapon systems on all the artificial islands in the South China Sea were installed by China.
The Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary expressed that other nations who have concerns regarding the activities of China in the disputed island can do their moves and the country will ‘leave it at that’ according to the report.
Hua emphasized the meeting of ‘common interests’ between the two nations and as well as its people.
In the previous months, the relationship between China and Philippines has been challenged by the territorial dispute regarding the South China Sea. Both nations were strong on its claim of ownership.
The dispute has even reached the Arbitral Tribunal which gave the verdict on the issue. However, despite that it has sided in the Philippines, China has not vacated the disputed island.
Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte expressed the desire to resolve the matter in a peaceful way. He has even appointed former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos to be the envoy of the country to China.
Pres. Duterte is also done with his official state visit to the Chinese nation which undeniably has warmed the relationship between the two nations. Reportedly, Pres. Duterte brought home a lot of investment projects for the country.
A few time after his visit, the Filipino fishermen were then allowed to fish in the disputed island. Based on a previous news report, China has offered a multi-million worth of military equipment to Pres. Duterte for free and as well as loans.
It followed the announcement of the Philippine President that it is not the time to press Beijing on accepting the ruling.