2011-03-15 (China Military News cited from gmanews.tv) -- The United States advised the Philippines anew to “exercise restraint" and settle its row with China on the Spratly Islands issue peacefully at the negotiating table.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. on Tuesday said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton mentioned this when she called Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario last Sunday.
"When Secretary Clinton spoke to DFA Secretary Del Rosario on Sunday, they spoke about the need for all claimants to resolve these issues at the negotiating table peacefully. We take no sides in this. We think all claimant states should sit down together, iron out their claims, and then work with China via ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), for a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea in the Spratly Islands," Thomas said in an interview on dzBB radio.
One island owned by China in Spratly Islands
Also, Thomas said the US wants all parties to settle the row as it has “important trade relationships" with both the Philippines and China, as well as other ASEAN nations.
According to him, the huge international trade that passes through the South China Sea must be considered by all parties.
"The most important thing for all countries is to realize that over $5 trillion in international commerce goes through the South China Sea. And that’s why we support freedom of navigation. But all this should be done peacefully, at the negotiating table. And that is so, so important," he said.
Thomas said he has also discussed these matters with the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Liu Jianchao, saying “we talk about these things."
He also pointed out that while up to 70 percent of Filipinos have Chinese blood, more have American relatives as there are 4.5 million Filipinos living in the US now.
March 20th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
3 
7
March 21st, 2011 at 3:58 am
Kiemhao,
Why do you have to go off the deep end of the pool with this?
Where do you see that the US is trying to do evil?
What scheme do you see?
What evidence do you have to make these statements?
Do you have facts?
Do you have data?
I agree that China has suffered at the hands of many nations. I cannot condone those nations’ actions in the past. But, right now and in the future is what we need to deal with not dredge up old problems and reopen old wounds of our countries past histories and actions.
I do not agree with the fact that the US is even involved with the talks about the Spratly Islands or any other territory of dispute. I believe that all claimants need to resolve these issues at the negotiating table peacefully. I do not take any sides in this situation. I think all claimant states should sit down together, iron out their claims, and then work with China via ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), for a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea in the Spratly Islands. The US has been asked many times form the claimants to join their dialog and negotiate with them to come to a peaceful solution to the issue of free sea travel and territorial lands.
Your comment here breathes HATE and DISCONTENT.
I hope and pray that your comments ARE NOT the same as your governments. Because if they are, then those views were the same as Japan’s views were back in the 1930’s. The 1930’s, is when Japan planned for global and regional conquest of ALL of ASIAN. Japan looked at all Asians, which were not of Japanese dissidents, as lower class of human beings and as slaves just as they do today with the Okinawan Islanders. This is why the other nations of the South China Sea are so afraid of China. These countries do not want to live though another salvage occupation.
Does China’s ambitions mirror image those of Japan back in 1930’s?
Do you speak for your government?
Are your views just as the same of the whole population of China?
If not, then be quite and respectful.
I can speak my mind here but, I know never to cross the line of claiming to speak the voice of my country or its government. I speak my mind and my ideas. I listen to others in this forum. I open my eyes and my heart to new ideas and ways of life elsewhere besides in the US. If I personally do not know enough about a subject I either read up on it or I KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT and I stay within my lane.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
7 
3
June 9th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
3
June 9th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
1 
4
September 20th, 2011 at 9:44 am
The mainland Peoples Republic of China os getting serious as now September 2011 gaining the ability to project power into the South China/Phillipine Sea as their first Aircraft Carrier has been commissioned.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0