Despite their opposing positions in the disputed South China Sea, the Philippines would continue pushing for formal talks with China to settle the territorial conflict peacefully and thrash out other common interests that are crucial to Sino-Philippine relations.

Philippine foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. told an audience in Washington, D.C. on Friday that despite the differences between Beijing and Manila over the disputed strategic waterway, the Duterte government would continue to explore opportunities to mend ties with Beijing.

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Yasay said that although there is a conflict between Beijing and Manila over the disputed sea, the dispute is only a "small portion" of the entire diplomatic relations between both nations.

Sino-Philippine relations

Yasay said talks with China on Sino-Philippine relations should proceed formally as the two nations explore their ties and interests on various important matters such as "trade, investment, cultural exchanges, infrastructure and people-to-people contact."

"That area of the disputed territory in the South China Sea is a small portion of our relationship. We would like to continue engaging everyone including China and our neighbors in pursuing other interests that include trade, investment, infrastructure development, cultural exchanges, people-to-people contact," he said.

The foreign secretary said he hoped that there would be countless opportunities for both sides to engage in formal talks to peacefully settle their conflict over the disputed maritime territory.

Special envoy

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had sent Manila's special envoy, Fidel Ramos, to Hong Kong to "break the ice" with top Chinese officials in August to pave the way for formal talks to commence in Beijing.

Duterte said Chinese and Philippine officials have started laying the groundwork for the talks, which he expected to begin before the end of the year.

The Philippines had earlier indicated that it would only engage in formal talks with China on the basis of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's (PCA) ruling, which China's massive claims in the South China Sea.

July 12 ruling

China's President Xi Jinping, for his part, has emphasized that Beijing would not accept any talks, actions, and future propositions by any state that would be based on the PCA's ruling.

The Philippines ties with China turned sour under former President Benigno Aquino III. Manila has been making efforts in repair its damaged relationship with the Asian giant.

On July 12, the Hague-based PCA ruled that there is no legal basis for China's "historic claims" to territories in the South China Sea under its nine-dash line.

The court said Beijing had violated international law and the rights of the Philippines to explore its resources within its exclusive economic zone.

Beijing did not participate in the legal proceedings and dismissed the court's ruling as "illegal" and "null and void." 

TagsSino-Philippine relations, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Chinese President Xi jinping, arbitral court, Philippines, china