Palace, military clear China, say no ‘intrusion’
- Written by Fernan J. Angeles and Mario J. Mallari
- Thursday, 19 July 2012
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, at a press briefing, yesterday said the Philippine government believes that both countries, which have been locked in a standoff since April, would be able to resolve the conflict amicably, even as he claimed that Chinese official Xi Jinping as mentioning his government’s preference for a peaceful solution to the territorial dispute over the South China Sea.
“They have stated openly, very recently, Xi Jinping has already mentioned that they would prefer a peaceful resolution. Both countries have manifested a peaceful resolution to the differences. We are hopeful again, we are always hopeful that we can arrive at a peaceful resolution,” he stressed.
Asked for comment over report claiming a fleet of 30 Chinese fishing boats operating in disputed waters in the South China Sea, Lacierda is not convinced that the situation has worsened as compared with that of two months ago.
“I think it has not worsened. There were instances, for instance, the vessels have withdrawn from Scarborough Shoal. They are back… Obviously, China has not taken any action — provocative action in terms of military action. And so, since there has been no military action, we are always hopeful that a peaceful resolution will be maintained by both parties,” he said..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL:http://www.tribuneonline.org/index.php/headlines/item/1739-palace-military-clear-china-say-no-%E2%80%98intrusion%E2%80%99
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