China strongly objected to Indonesia’s draft resolution on maritime security at the 31st Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF31), which gathered parliamentary officials from 27 countries in Manila to discuss issues affecting the region.
In an interview, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa noted that China opposed almost all the paragraphs in Indonesia’s resolution, which deals with territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
While the Philippines espouses adherence to international law and wants to work through international bodies, China wants to stick to bilateral negotiations as a way to settle disputes, Dela Rosa said. This means that other bodies like the United Nations or any other international agencies should not interfere.
“China doesn’t like to recognize them,” Dela Rosa said. “China opposed (the Indonesian draft) so we have to follow the rules (of the APPF), ” said Dela Rosa, who presided over the subcommittee on security matters in the forum.
The rules state that there should be no division of the house and there should be a consensus.
This means if there’s a comment, reservation, or opposition towards a draft resolution, it will be rejected.
“Although it’s just 1 percent of the delegates and 99 percent support the draft resolution, even if only one voices opposition to it, the resolution will be set aside,” Dela Rosa said.
He said, however, that a working committee could still hammer out a resolution that the Chinese would accept.
In a speech at the forum, Senator Jinggoy Estrada exhorted each member to engage in dialogue actively, seeking understanding and cooperation, even in the face of differences.
He called on all parties involved to prioritize dialogue over confrontation, and cooperation over competition.
“The Asia Pacific region has thrived when we have worked together, and it is in this spirit that we address the current challenges in the South China Sea,” he said.
He said the Philippine government, under the leadership of President Marcos., has been consistent in trying to address the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea through diplomatic means, in the hope of decreasing tension in the area. He said President Marcos met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the recently concluded APEC Summit in San Francisco, California.
They affirmed that the situation in the South China Sea does not comprise the entirety of Philippines-China relations and that maritime issues should be managed properly.
He said the Philippines and Japan, both maritime nations, are currently working on a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that will enhance their defense cooperation. With Charles Dantes (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
The RAA will provide a legal framework for joint military exercises and operations, which will improve the military capabilities and interoperability of both nations.
He also called on each delegate to urge their respective governments to affirm multilateralism. Cooperation between key nations can set an example and in turn, encourage other states to likewise engage in collaborative security initiatives.
“It is in this light that we seek your support for the Philippines’ bid to the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027-2028,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Marcos Jr. on Friday admitted that he felt exhausted after his recent six-day trip to the United States but is now “fine.”
In an interview on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH) at the Arca South Estate in Taguig City, Mr. Marcos said there is nothing to worry about his health.
“Basically, [I] just ran out of steam. I have not fully recovered from my recent travels. I suppose I just needed rest. I am fine now. Thank you for your concern,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Mr. Marcos issued the statement after he skipped the dinner reception for the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan Palace in Manila on Thursday night.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who chairs this year’s APPF, said Mr. Marcos was not feeling well following his three-leg trip to San Francisco and Los Angeles in California and Honolulu, Hawaii.
The President’s cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, delivered his keynote speech on his behalf.
Despite his failure to attend the Palace event, Mr. Marcos was still able to attend the situation briefings in Catarman, Northern Samar following the widespread floods caused by the effects of the shear line and low-pressure area and General Santos City after the recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
In his visit to General Santos City, the President inspected damaged structures in quake-hit areas and met with local chief executives to evaluate the actions taken by the local government units.
Mr. Marcos also had a media interview after the distribution of government assistance to quake victims.
The President, in a briefing, ordered all concerned agencies to ensure the swift delivery of assistance to those affected in Northern Samar. — With Charles Dantes
