Phl says to work for climate of mutual trust with China

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government on Thursday said it will seek opportunities to build a climate of mutual trust and cooperation with China as Xi Jinping sits as its new president.

"The Philippines extends its sincere congratulations as Mr. Xi Jinping assumes the presidency of the People’s Republic of China by means of the 18th National Congress and his election as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.

Lacierda added: "We will seek all opportunities to help build a climate of mutual trust and cooperation to enhance stability in our region so that the positive economic momentum of our respective nations may be sustained."

The Philippines is currently locked in a territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), filed last January an arbitration case against China before the United Nations.

The DFA has sent to China a Notification and Statement of Claim that challenges before the Arbitral Tribunal the validity of China’s nine-dash line claim and to desist from unlawful activities that violate the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

China has rejected the note and asked the Philippines to return to bilateral negotiations to resolve the dispute.