China ‘checking’ reports vessels driving away PH fishers

“I think it is in the common interest of all countries, including China, the United States and Asean countries, that we keep the peace and stability there and we keep the freedom of navigation in the whole South China Sea open,” Zhao said. (PNA File Photo)

MANILA — Chinese government is verifying reports that Chinese vessels are driving away Filipino fishermen from sand bars near Pag-asa Island in the disputed West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.

Chinese ambassador Zhao Jinhua made this assurance, stressing the Chinese government has committed to settle sea disputes peacefully.

“We are checking and we are in close coordination with DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and we will be checking whether it is true or not,” Zhao said in a chance interview with reporters in Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.

“Rest assured China is committed to peacefully settle the disputes we have and we are working very well in managing our differences,” he added.

Meanwhile, Zhao said Chinese government is also working with DFA to polish the Code of Conduct (CoC) on the WPS meant to prevent misunderstanding in the contested maritime area.

The draft framework of the COC was approved during the ASEAN Summit held in Manila in 2017.

“In the meantime, we are working on the COC, Code of Conduct, and the Filipino side is the country coordinator for China-Asean relationship so we are hoping that we can make further progress in our joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Zhao said.

Zhao emphasized the importance of keeping freedom of navigation in the contested waters open.

“I think it is in the common interest of all countries, including China, the United States and Asean countries, that we keep the peace and stability there and we keep the freedom of navigation in the whole South China Sea open,” Zhao said.

Last week, US State Secretary Mike Pompeo vowed to defend the Philippines if forces are attacked in the disputed sea.

Zhao said that Chinese government is not concerned about Pompeo’s remark.

“Maybe that you would expect the Chinese side to be very concern about these remarks. We are concerned more, it’s about the peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Zhao said.

“Everybody, every country will suffer if peace and stability become something to the opposite, that it’s chaos or conflict,” he added.

Asked if Philippines should be concerned about possible attacks from China, Zhao said he was more concerned about attacks coming from “the other side”.

“Well, we are worried about possible attacks from the other side. We don’t worry about China attacking anybody because it is not our policy,” Zhao said.

“The other side use your imagination,” he added, refusing to elaborate what he meant by “other side”.

The Philippines, China and other states have overlapping claims in the West Philippine Sea.