BEIJING – Nagmatigas si Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping na hindi nila kikilalanin ang arbitral ruling na naipanalo ng Pilipinas sa Permanent Court of Arbitration sa Hague.
Sinabi ni Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, sa isinagawang bilateral meeting kagabi, inungkat ni Pangulong Duterte ang arbitral ruling pero nanindigan si Xi sa kanilang posisyong hindi pagkilala rito at iginiit ang claims sa halos kabuuan ng South China Sea.
“President Duterte was also steadfast in raising with President Xi concerns central to the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which include the ruling held by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. He said that the arbitral award is final, binding and not subject to appeal,” ani Sec. Panelo.
“In response, President Xi reiterated his government’s position of not recognising the arbitral ruling as well as not budging from its position.”
Sa kabila nito, nagkasundo umano ang dalawang lider na ang nasabing pagkakaiba at hidwaan ay hindi dapat makasira sa magandang relasyon ng Pilipinas at China.
“Both President Duterte and President Xi agreed that while their variant positions will have to remain, their differences however need not derail nor diminish the amity between the two countries. They shared the view that the contentious issue is not the sum total of the Philippines-Chinese bilateral relationship. They likewise are on the same page on the belief that the foundation and future of their countries’ friendship cannot be anchored to their respective positions on the subject, and that the basis of their ties is their centuries old friendship as well as the benefits that will redound to their peoples by virtue of their cooperation.”
