China calls for direct talks in sea disputes
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China.org.cn & Xinhua, October 18, 2011
China on Monday urged other countries to respect its agreement with Vietnam on maritime disputes.
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South China Sea [File photo] |
Multinational talks will complicate the South China Sea dispute instead of resolving the issue.
"The fact that China and Vietnam have agreed to settle maritime disputes through negotiations has nothing to do with a third party. We expect the third party to respect the efforts by the countries concerned to resolve the disputes through negotiations," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a daily press briefing.
Liu's comments came after it was reported that the Philippines opposed the latest China-Vietnam joint statement and called for a multilateral approach, rather than a bilateral agreement, to resolve the South China Sea dispute.
"China-Philippines maritime disputes can only be resolved through direct negotiations between China and the Philippines, a stance the Philippines is quite clear about," Liu said.
"The South China Sea disputes should be addressed through negotiations between nations that are directly involved, which is a consensus that has been agreed to in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea between China and ASEAN countries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said .
China and Vietnam reaffirmed their political will and determination to settle maritime issues through negotiations and friendly consultations and to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to a China-Vietnam joint statement signed on Saturday.
The two countries will step up negotiations on maritime issues, seek basic and long-term approaches that will be acceptable for both sides, explore interim and temporary solutions, including research and negotiations on the joint development of the sea, without impacting each side's stance and position, the statement said.
Both sides will seek steady progress in negotiations regarding the maritime demarcation of the baymouth of the Beibu Gulf and discuss the joint development of the sea area, the statement said.
"The China-Vietnam joint agreement is important for guiding the long-term healthy and stable development of bilateral relations," Liu said.
The statement reflects the determination and will of both countries to enhance friendship from a strategic height and an overall perspective, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, properly handle disputes, promote socialist causes and safeguard regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development, Liu said.
Last week, Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba proposed a multilateral framework to settle maritime disputes in the South China Sea during his visit to Indonesia and other southeast Asian countries.
"We hope that countries outside of the region do more work that is conducive to peace and stability in the region of the South China Sea, and show more respect and support to nations within the region that are making efforts to solve disputes through bilateral talks and negotiations," Liu said.
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