‘US not opposing Philippines-China talks over sea row’

WASHINGTON – The United States is not opposed to bilateral talks between the Philippines and China over their competing claims to parts of the South China Sea, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said.

There’s never been a problem or resistance on the part of the US to the idea of bilateral talks, Russel said when asked at a news conference if he was concerned the incoming Duterte administration may seek to negotiate bilaterally with the Chinese.

China claims most of the sea but neighboring countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims to parts of it. 

While Washington favors a multilateral approach to settle the South China Sea disputes, Russel said bilateral talks were something that the US has no problem with.

What the US has affirmed again and again is that bilateral talks aren’t the only avenue to find solutions, Russel said.

“I think that there are any number of issues that can’t be resolved on a bilateral basis, but those that can, we’re all for it,” he said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said she welcomed Duterte’s pronouncement and hoped his administration could return to a track of bilateral talks, appropriately handle disputes, and work hard for the healthy development of ties.

In Los Angeles, Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. is optimistic president-elect Rodrigo Duterte will continue to strive for more bilateral cooperation with the US.

“I am confident that the necessary groundwork has been put in place for the new administration to deepen existing engagements and pursue fresh avenues for collaboration and partnership with the US,” Cuisia, who is retiring this month, told The STAR.

“Over the past six years, we have seen significant strides in the longstanding and comprehensive bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the United States in terms of defense and security cooperation, economic engagement and people-to-people exchanges,” he said.

Asked if he sees any need for change in approach to foreign policy, Cuisia said “as much as foreign policy reflects an administration’s priorities, the national interest should always be the paramount consideration.”

“The preservation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity is a non-negotiable, overriding objective of foreign policy. Furthermore, we are bound by our Constitution, which states that the Philippines shall pursue an independent foreign policy,” he said.

“I look forward to the continued growth of our diplomatic engagement with the international community, especially as we confront increasingly complex global and regional issues,” he added.

Cuisia said he expects a seamless transfer of power to the new leadership as “both outgoing and incoming administrations have taken proactive steps toward this goal.” 

He noted wide support for Duterte from US-based Filipinos. “The results of voting in the United States was consistent with the national voting pattern. I believe that the positive working relationship between US-based Filipinos and the Philippine government will continue to thrive under the new administration,” Cuisia maintained. – With Donnabelle Arevalo