(Central News Agency reporter Lin Xingjian, Manila, 9th) The South China Sea dispute has triggered a dispute within the Philippine government over its line with China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advocates that differences should be managed through dialogue, while the defense department believes that a tough stance should be taken. The differences between the two sides have come to the surface and spread to the people.
As frictions in the South China Sea continue, the Philippine diplomatic system tends to use dialogue, crisis management and professional diplomacy to prevent the situation from getting out of control. The national defense, military and coast guard are directly under frontline pressure in the South China Sea, and they emphasize improving their deterrence capabilities and taking a tough stance, and continue to expose China's strong actions in the South China Sea through the "Transparency Initiative".
The disagreement between the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the defense department over China's line has gradually become more intense. The Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday issued a statement titled "Governance, Transparency and National Interests" emphasizing that according to the Constitution, the president is the main framer of foreign policy, and individual officials, government agencies or departments cannot determine the direction of foreign policy on their own.
The statement said that although the military and national security departments are responsible for providing information and assessment of frontline situations, international relations are still dominated by the civilian government, and professional advice should be provided through internal channels.
The Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that diplomacy remains the main way to resolve disputes and safeguard Philippine rights. Transparency initiatives must support diplomacy rather than replace or conflict with diplomacy.
The statement did not name officials, but Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela have long supported the "Transparency Initiative" and have a tough stance on China. They have also become thorns in the side of the Chinese Embassy.
Philippine Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa Lazaro had a phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the 3rd. Wang Yi asked the Philippines to strengthen restraint on "politicians" who "repeatedly attack and smear China." Teodoro said in an interview with the Philippine media that the Philippines was only "stating the facts" and said that he only took orders from the President of the Philippines, not Wang Yi.
The Philippines is the rotating chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year and will host the leaders' summit soon. It hopes to help ASEAN and China finalize the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" (COC) before leaving office. In this context, the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes to reduce tensions in Philippines-China relations and reduce the impact on ASEAN activities and COC negotiations.
Twenty Philippine business, labor and citizen groups, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Federation of Philippine Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII), recently issued a joint statement, arguing that Philippines-China relations are related to trade, exports, tourism, migrant workers and economic development, and support the use of dialogue and diplomatic means to handle disputes between the Philippines and China.
The joint statement pointed out that other ASEAN countries are deepening cooperation with China in trade, investment, technology, infrastructure and tourism. The Philippines should also firmly safeguard its sovereignty and strive for mutually beneficial opportunities with China through constructive engagement.
On the other hand, the left-wing organization "Akbayan" issued a statement today expressing disappointment with the stance of the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Rafaela David, chairperson of the "Balance Party", pointed out that although the constitution gives the president the power to lead foreign policy, the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do not have the right to monopolize discussions on national interests.
She believes that the Filipino people have the right to supervise, question and criticize foreign policy decisions. Publicly condemning China's infringement of Philippine rights is not a disobedience to the government, nor will it weaken diplomacy. "No one should be asked to silence because they challenge the diplomatic posture that the government hopes for."
