Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday urged China to let Filipinos fish in disputed waters in the South China Sea while the two countries discuss ways to resolve a territorial row.
Duterte noted that most fishermen who sail to the disputed areas, particularly Scarborough Shoal near the north-western Philippines, were poor and needed to boost their catch to earn a living.
“I hope the Chinese may find a place in their hearts for the Filipinos. I hope you treat us [as] your brothers and not enemies and take note of the plight of our citizens,” he said in a speech at ceremonies marking National Heroes’ Day.
Chinese Ambassador to the Philipines Zhao Jianhua, who attended the event at the Heroes’ Cemetery, said Beijing was open to discussing the possibility of allowing Filipinos fish in Scarborough Shoal.
He added that Beijing was looking forward to holding bilateral talks with the Philippines to discuss the dispute.
“Right now, we need to change our focus from differences to common interests so we can concentrate on co-operation that will benefit our people,” he told reporters after the speech.
Last week, Duterte warned of a “bloody” outcome if China tries to invade the country’s territories in the South China Sea, a key shipping lane rich in mineral and marine resources.
But he reiterated yesterday that he would seek peace over war in resolving the row, joking that the Philippines needed time to build its military capabilities before facing off with China.
“For now, Mr Ambassador, I want to just talk to you for the moment. Maybe give us time to build our forces also,” he said, triggering laughter from the crowd. “You have so much (military) superiority.”
In July, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China had no legal right to claim a large swathe of the South China Sea, in a case brought by the Philippines.
China, which did not participate in the arbitration case, has rejected the court’s ruling as “null and void.”
The Philippines has repeatedly called on China to respect international law in resolving maritime territorial disputes and stressed that any talks would have to be based on the court’s ruling.
Apart from China and the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have overlapping claims to the South China Sea.