CHINA has no desire to engage in military confrontation with any state in the South China Sea but has expressed concern about the United Statesā reported plan to conduct naval exercises in the area next month.
The statement was relayed by Chinese Ambassador to the PhilipĀpines Zhao Jianhua in a meeting with President Duterte in MalacaĀƱang last Monday about the imĀpending visit of Chinaās President Xi Jinping to the country.
āChina, of course, expressed concern over a naval military exĀercise that the United States will be conducting in the area at about the same time that the Chinese President will be in the PhilipĀpines,ā Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said during a Palace news conference.
He said President Duterte asĀsured China that āwe will not take part in that military exercise.ā
Asked if the President will ask the US to defer the naval exercises in the region, Roque declined to give details. But the Palace official said they hope Xiās visit to Manila in November would be āseamlessā and āfruitful.ā
āThe general consensus was we donāt want anything to mar the visit of the President Xi so I think the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) will do all it can to make sure the President Xiās visit will be fruitful and as productive as we want it to be,ā he said.
āWe want a seamless visit of President Xi,ā he added.
The United States Pacific Fleet reportedly proposed to send planes and ships in the South China Sea in a major show of force to counter Chinaās increased military activity in the disputed area. Reports said the US ships and aircraft could be deployed this November to send a strong message to Beijing.
The Philippines, however, obĀtained an assurance from China that it has no plan to use military force against any nation in the South China Sea, according to Roque.
āChina reiterated that they do not desire any military confrontaĀtion as a result of the West PhilĀippine Sea either with any of the claimant states or with any other powers because China is the bigĀgest user of the West Philippine Sea,ā he said.
āAny military confrontation in the West Philippine Sea will have dire consequences as far as ChiĀnese commerce is concerned,ā he added.
He said they agreed that Xiās visit to the Philippines would āfurther cement the already strong relaĀtionsā between the two countries.
Both also agreed the joint oil exploration in the West Philippines will benefit the interest of both countries, he said.
Roque said Zhao also affirmed Chinese financial assistance in connection with āpage-long list of projectsā in the country. (Genalyn Kabiling)