DAVAO CITY (October 29) -Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the Philippines and China can shelve their maritime claims for the sake of joint development in the West Philippine Sea.
“We stand ready to stand by the Philippines and will always be your most sincere and trustworthy friend,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a news conference in Davao City with Department of Foreign Affairs Sec. Teddy Locsin Jr.
“China has never been, and will never be a rival to the Philippines, even as a threat. It is ready to further discuss with the Philippines on the joint development of oil and gas in the South China Sea, to shelve differences and pursue its joint development,” he added.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also cited the historical lineage between Filipinos and Chinese and pointed out that China will firmly support the Philippines in its economic and social development.
DFA Secretary Teddy Locsin said that “while recognizing our differences and never compromising our respective core interests, we continue to discuss and explore avenues for maritime cooperation.”
Locsin that there is a growing and shared resolve to “smoothen the path to what is the natural and mutually beneficial progress of the region.”- NewsLine
