ROILO GOLEZ, Philippine National Security Adviser (2001-2004). The world and the Philippines as Roilo Golez sees it. With focus on national security, geopolitics, geo-security, economics, science and government.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Golez: The diplomatic route can open the way for an equitable settlement in the soonest time possible of the dispute in the South China Sea or give China the opportunity to simply dribble the ball and temporize as China continues to change the facts on the ground with more construction and militarization of the artificial islands:
Golez: The diplomatic route can open the way for an equitable settlement in the soonest time possible of the dispute in the South China Sea or give China the opportunity to simply dribble the ball and temporize as China continues to change the facts on the ground with more construction and militarization of the artificial islands:
"BEIJING • China welcomed US Defence Secretary James Mattis' suggestion that diplomacy should be the priority in the South China Sea, and that major US military action was not being considered to contend with China's assertive behaviour there.
"Mr Mattis, speaking in Tokyo on Saturday, blamed China for "shredding the trust of nations in the region", but also played down any need for US military manoeuvres in the disputed waters and called for open lines of communication.
"The comments, his most complete on the issue to date, came after analysts had said other remarks made by President Donald Trump's administration had suggested the possibility of US military action, or even a naval blockade.
"Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters at a regular briefing that Mr Mattis' emphasis on using diplomatic means of resolving disputes in the South China Sea was "worthy of affirmation" and that the situation there was normalising.
"This accords with the common interests of China and all countries in the region, and we hope countries outside the region can respect the joint interests and wishes of countries in the region," Mr Lu said."
Beijing welcomes US call for diplomacy on South China Sea issue
Reuters
US Secretary of Defense James Mattis speaking during a joint press conference with Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada (not pictured) at the defence ministry in Tokyo, Japan, on Feb 4, 2017.PHOTO: EPA
BEIJING • China welcomed US Defence Secretary James Mattis' suggestion that diplomacy should be the priority in the South China Sea, and that major US military action was not being considered to contend with China's assertive behaviour there.
Mr Mattis, speaking in Tokyo on Saturday, blamed China for "shredding the trust of nations in the region", but also played down any need for US military manoeuvres in the disputed waters and called for open lines of communication.
The comments, his most complete on the issue to date, came after analysts had said other remarks made by President Donald Trump's administration had suggested the possibility of US military action, or even a naval blockade.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters at a regular briefing that Mr Mattis' emphasis on using diplomatic means of resolving disputes in the South China Sea was "worthy of affirmation" and that the situation there was normalising.
"This accords with the common interests of China and all countries in the region, and we hope countries outside the region can respect the joint interests and wishes of countries in the region," Mr Lu said.
China claims most of the South China Sea, while Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei claim parts of the waters that command strategic sea lanes and have rich fishing grounds along with oil and gas deposits.
In his Senate confirmation hearing, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said China should not be allowed access to islands it has built in the contested South China Sea.
The White House also vowed to defend "international territories" in the waterway.
Such action would risk an armed confrontation with China, an increasingly formidable nuclear- armed military power.
Chinese state media said at the time that the US would need to "wage war" to bar China's access to the artificial islands built up on reefs, where it has constructed military-length air strips and installed weapons systems.
Pronouncements by China's state-run news outlets do not equate to government policy, but can reflect official thinking.
The China Daily said in an editorial yesterday that Mr Mattis' comments were a "mind- soothing pill" that had "dispersed the clouds of war that many feared were gathering over the South China Sea".
"Mattis has inspired optimism here that things may not be as bad as previously portrayed," the newpaper said.
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