China 'ready' to continue talks with Philippines on maritime issues —embassy

China remains open to continue dialogue and consultation with the Philippines about maritime issues following the recent incident in the West Philippine Sea, according to its embassy in the Philippines.

“China stands ready to continue to properly handle maritime issues with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation,” embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

This is following the August 5 incident where Chinese vessels used water cannons and made dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels during a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at Ayungin Shoal since 1999. The ship manned by more than a dozen Marines and sailors has become a symbol of Philippine sovereignty in the offshore territory.

“With a view to upholding maritime stability, we hope that the Philippines will meet China halfway and make joint efforts to start negotiation on above initiatives soon,” the embassy said.

The embassy added that China has been waiting for the Philippines’ feedback after Beijing provided Manila with maritime initiatives this year, including on managing situations in Ren’ai Jiao, China's name for Ayungin Shoal.

The Chinese embassy reiterated that Ren’ai Jiao is part of China and called out the Philippines “for seeking to overhaul and reinforce the military vessel” to permanently occupy the area.

“China made it clear to the Philippines that it shall not send construction materials meant for overhauling and reinforcing the ‘grounded’ military vessel on a large scale, and suggested that the two sides hold talks as soon as possible on ways to manage the situation at Ren’ai Jiao, which is a clear display of China’s goodwill and sincerity,” it said.

However, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Ayungin Shoal is part of the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In July 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, based on a case filed by the Philippines, junked China's nine-dash line claim covering the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. China has refused to acknowledge the ruling.

United States

In the same statement, the Chinese embassy also called out the United States for supposedly supporting the Philippines in rebuilding BRP Sierra Madre and sensationalizing the issue.

“The US even sent over military aircraft and vessels to assist and support the Philippines, and repeatedly sought to threaten China by citing the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” it said.

“The US has also rallied certain allies to persistently sensationalize the South China Sea issue, extensively hype up the recent maritime incident and attack China’s legitimate and lawful actions at sea,” the embassy added.

On Wednesday (Manila time), the Pentagon said Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and United States Defense chief Lloyd Austin III discussed in a phone call the recent actions by Chinese authorities near Ayungin Shoal.

The Pentagon said Austin condemned the China Coast Guard's use of water cannons and other dangerous maneuvers, which put the safety of Philippine vessels and crew at risk.

“He joined numerous countries in expressing concern about these unsafe operational activities, which undermine the status quo and directly threaten regional peace and stability,” the Pentagon said.

Teodoro and Austin talked about the US-Philippines alliance cooperation as they committed to redouble efforts to strengthen bilateral training, interoperability, and support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The two defense chiefs are seeking to meet in-person soon, according to the Pentagon. —KBK, GMA Integrated News