Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Sea disputes draw PH, Japan closer


By Joyce Pangco Panares  
Manila Standard Today
The Philippines and Japan on Thursday agreed to join forces in addressing a “common challenge” in China’s continuing aggressive stance in claiming almost the entire South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), including islands that belong to Manila and Tokyo as provided by international law.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said that President Benigno Aquino III and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan discussed how to peacefully resolve the conflict in the disputed territories when the Japanese envoy paid a courtesy call in Malacanang.
“We talked about the possibility of trying to learn about the various strategies of Japan and the Philippines. I think there’s a mutual agreement that we should pursue peaceful resolution to these disputes and we’re trying to find out what the right formulation is,” Del Rosario said.
“I think they (Mr. Aquino and Kishida) were all aware of the magnitude of the challenge. I think we all understand that the assertions being made by China in terms of their nine-dash line claim do pose threats to the stability of the region. We also need to be able to address the possibility that the freedom of navigation would be adversely impacted,” del Rosario added.
Kishida, for his part, underscored the need for closer cooperation with the changing “strategic environment” in the region.
“It is necessary for us to share recognition of the situation, enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries, and cooperate towards shaping peaceful and prosperous Asia-Pacific region,” he said.
Manila had been at odds with Beijing since April last year over their overlapping claims in the Scarborough Shoal and the Kalayaan Islands, which were within the country’s 200 nautical mile, or exclusive economic zone, as provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or Unclos.
Tokyo, on the other hand, has an ongoing dispute with Beijing over the Diaoyu Island, which the Japanese call Senkaku. Tokyo, however, took a hard stance in laying claim to the island, which forced China to bring the issue before the Unclos.
Del Rosario described China’s posture in the West Philippine Sea as “threatening.”
“They have an excessive claim in violation of international laws —strike one. Strike two – in order to reinforce that claim, they have established administrative units to oversee the entire area covering Paracels, Macclesfield Bank and Bajo de Masinloc. Then they come up with this new law which provides for enforcement in terms of interdiction of ships in those areas. So strike three already,” del Rosario said.
The Foreign Affairs chief later said that Manila’s strategy on dealing with Beijing, however, remained the same.
He said that the Philippines would continue to adopt a three-track approach: the political, diplomatic and legal.
“Nothing has changed,” he said.
In a separate interview, a source within Foreign Affairs said that the legal track was “almost done” and the department hoped to present their case before the United Nations.
The source, however, said they were still waiting for the “right timing” to present the case.
Del Rosario also recognized Japan’s assistance in strengthening the country’s maritime security, and confirmed that Japan has agreed to loan ten “brand new” coastal boats and an advanced communication system to the Coast Guard to enhance Manila’s maritime defense capability.
Aside from the maritime issues, Mr. Aquino and Kishida also discussed measures to boost economic ties.
“There is an ongoing review in terms of how the economic partnership agreement can be improved. One such area is the provision that we are trying to get more nurses and more caregivers to be accepted by the institutions in Japan and that is, of course, a work in progress,” del Rosario said.
Del Rosario, who had a closed-door meeting with the Japanese envoy on Wednesday which he described as “very productive,” added that he also discussed with Kishida other issues such as economic diplomacy, and the protection of overseas Filipino workers in Japan.
The meeting also tackled trade, investments, tourism, development assistance, people-to-people exchanges and the Mindanao peace process.
In a statement, Kishida said they had agreed to advance cooperation in expanding trade and investments, specifically in improving infrastructure in the Philippines through Japan’s official development assistance.
Through the ODA, Kishida said, Tokyo will extend loans for two projects: the extension of LRT 1 and 2 and the construction of a new airport in Bohol.
Kishida added that Tokyo also welcomed the signing of the framework agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and expressed Japan’s willingness to provide as much support towards achieving peace. With Sara Susanne Fabunan, PNA, Kyodo News

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