Source:Agencies-Global Times | 2017-05-22
Talks last week between leaders of China and the Philippines were frank and friendly, with no threats or bullying, Manila's foreign secretary said on Monday, after his president said he was warned of war if he drills for oil in the South China Sea.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano would not disclose more details of the Beijing meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and China counterpart Xi Jinping, but said they had the kind of relationship in which they could openly discuss preventing maritime conflict.
Duterte met Xi for talks in Beijing last week and later said Xi had warned him there would be war if the Philippines tried to explore for oil in a disputed stretch of sea.
I really said it to their face. That is ours and we intend to drill oil there, said Duterte, who claimed he made the comments public in response to domestic criticism he was being too weak with China over the row.
The conversation was very frank. There was mutual respect, there was mutual trust, Cayetano told reporters.
The context was not threatening each other, that we will go to war. The context is how do we stabilize the region and how do we prevent conflict.
I will not contradict the president's words. I am just telling you...my interpretation: there was no bullying or pushing around, it was not a threat, Cayetano added. It was more the threat of conflict will always be there if we don't have dialogue.
Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying also sought to make light of Duterte's comments, noting Xi and Duterte had agreed to strengthen communication on important bilateral issues.
China is willing to work with the Philippines to handle disputes peacefully, she told reporters.
China sought to deepen cooperation in other fields so bilateral relations can move forward in a sound and steady way and also contribute to regional peace and stability, Hua said.
Duterte made no mention of the issue during an unusual news briefing on Monday before he left for Russia.