Xi: Talks on pact to avoid sea clashes could end in 3 years

AP  |  Manila 

Chinese said Tuesday negotiations between and nations on a nonaggression pact to prevent clashes in the disputed South Sea could be concluded in three years and promised that any differences will be dealt with peacefully.

Xi's overnight visit to the Philippine capital, Manila, was his last stop on a three-nation swing through Asia, where he has offered infrastructure loans and aid and championed free trade amid a rivalry for regional influence with the

"We will continue to manage contentious issues and promote maritime cooperation through friendly consultation," Xi said.

He said aims to conclude the talks on the "code of conduct" in the disputed waters with the Association of Nations within three years.

Four members of the 10-nation bloc Brunei, Malaysia, the and along with and have overlapping claims in the Sea. Many fear the long-simmering disputes could spark an armed conflict that could shatter Asia's bustling economies.

Ahead of Xi's visit, China and the tried to negotiate an agreement allowing joint in the disputed waters, but apparently did not reach a consensus.

They signed a "memorandum of understanding on cooperation on oil and gas development" on Tuesday but officials provided few details.

"It's a cooperation to find ways to find a solution," Philippine said of the agreement.

China has sought a "maritime and air liaison mechanism," an arrangement for forces of the two countries to coordinate their naval and aircraft movements to prevent incidents in the contested waters, but the proposal has been opposed by Philippine defense officials, two Philippine officials told

There was no mention of the pact after Tuesday's meetings.

Filipino nationalists have warned that any agreement that can undermine the Philippines' internationally recognized exclusive rights to fish and exploit resources within 200 nautical miles of the country's coast would violate the Philippine Constitution.

Beijing's relations with deteriorated over the territorial rifts until Duterte won the presidency in mid-2016 and sought to rebuild ties with China while criticizing U.S. security policies in a dramatic pivot. The administration of Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, had brought the territorial disputes with China to international arbitration and won, but China has ignored the outcome.

Duterte has refused to immediately demand Chinese compliance with the ruling, which invalidated China's sweeping claims to the waters, where has transformed a string of disputed reefs into missile-protected island bases.

Duterte's rapprochement has fostered a new era of warmer relations with the Asian economic powerhouse, from which he has sought trade and investment, infrastructure financing and weapons to fight insurgents.

While Western governments have sharply criticized Duterte's brutal crackdown on illegal drugs, China has not. Both Xi and Duterte have often been in the crosshairs of human rights groups.

Xi said he and Duterte "agreed to elevate our relationship into one of comprehensive, strategic cooperation," adding, "it sends a strong message to the world that our two countries are partners in seeking common development." Xi's visit to the Philippines is the first by a Chinese in 13 years.

More than 300 protesters with placards reading "Hands off our land and seas" rallied in front of the Another group of protesters later burned mock Chinese flags near the presidential palace, where Xi and Duterte met.

Duterte said Philippine participation in Beijing's "Belt and Road Initiative" was discussed and Xi invited the Philippine leader to attend the infrastructure loan program's second international forum in China next year.

The ambitious program has been criticized by the as enticing poor nations into debt bondage and has warned it could compromise their independence. Xi has denied that Chinese loans could lead to a "debt trap."

Aside from their trade disputes, China and the have wrestled over Beijing's assertive claims to the Sea.

Chinese officials have asked to back off from what they say is a purely Asian dispute, but the U.S. has vowed to maintain a presence in the waters, where it has no claims but has pledged to promote freedom of navigation and overflight.

"We will continue to fly and sail wherever international law allows and our national interests demand; harassment will only strengthen our resolve. We will not change course," U.S. said at a meeting last week in that was attended by leaders of the Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, including Xi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, November 20 2018. 21:20 IST