Teodoro doubtful on China’s intent in SCS code of conduct talks

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday expressed doubt over the intent of Beijing in the negotiations for the Code of Conduct (COC) amid the tension in the South China Sea (SCS).

“Well, committed sila sa dialogue kaso sila lang ang naniniwala sa sinasabi nila, yan ang problema,” Teodoro said in an ambush interview.

(Well, they are committed to dialogue but they are the only ones who believe in what they say, that's the problem.)

“Kung committed sila sa dialogue, ‘yung kapani-paniwala naman. Tapos nakalagay na naman, may colatilla na committed to dialogue based on historical facts ba ang nakalagay, e anong klaseng dialogue 'yun? Monologue na naman na sila lang ang naniniwala. So committed din tayo sa dialogue basta alam nating di tayo niloloko,” he added.

(If they are committed to dialogue, it should be believable. Then they have another colatilla saying that they are committed based on historical facts, what kind of dialogue is that? It is just a monologue that only they believe. So we are also committed to dialogue as long as we know we are not being deceived.)

On Friday, China said it will continue to advance the consultations for the Code of Conduct (COC) as it responded to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s statements at the ASEAN.

At a press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning was asked about the NHK report on Marcos urging leaders of ASEAN ''not to turn a blind eye to developments in the South China Sea.''

“China will continue to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively advance the consultations of the code of conduct in the South China Sea, and jointly make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation,” said Mao.

Marcos on Thursday also said that "there should be more urgency in the pace of the negotiations of the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct" and that “core elements of the COC, such as the milestone issues of geographic scope... and its legal nature to this day remain outstanding.”

Mao, however, maintained that “the situation in the South China Sea is generally stable” with the joint effort of China and ASEAN countries.

Tensions in the region continue as Beijing claims almost all of the SCS— a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce— including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The Philippines refers to portions of the SCS as the West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has refused to recognize the decision. — Joviland Rita/AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News