China hoping to end sea conflict with PH

China is hoping to accelerate talks with the Philippines on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) an agreement that will prevent future conflict and confrontations at sea among claimant nations-especially as Manila is chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

- By JOSEPH PEDRAJAS

China's new ambassador to the Philippines, Jing Quan, made the remark on Tuesday, Jan. 20, in a media debut that came at a time the embassy, under his leadership, had become more assertive in its claim over the entire South China Sea by engaging in word wars with Philippine government officials.

Diplomatic way

The envoy said both countries "have the ability and wisdom to properly manage our differences," and "the best option" for the maritime disputes between the countries that he observed to have become "more pronounced" in recent years, "is to sit down for talks and solutions in a diplomatic way." Just like with the Philippines, China has border disputes with India, Vietnam, and Japan. But Jing said they found solutions, or we managed the tensions through dialogue.

Jing bared that diplomats of both sides "are working toward this goal, and have already reached a preliminary consensus on a roadmap for the next stage of dialogue and negotiation".

"This year, the Philippines is chairing ASEAN. Both sides hope to accelerate negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea," he said.