De Venecia calls for resumption of bilateral talks
GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY WITH CHINA
IN A privilege speech last Monday at the House of Representatives, Pangasinan 4th District Representative Gina De Venecia called for the resumption of bilateral talks with China to settle the disputed territories and to restore the “good neighbor policy” in the West Philippine Sea.
In her speech, she also called for the creation of a Philippine–China Council.
She said, “On the basis of our significant blood ties and uninterrupted history of ‘good-neighbor’ relations, I propose the creation of a Philippine-China Council to be composed of eminent persons, peace-makers, economic experts, representatives from the academe, historians, geo-political experts, civil society leaders who will meet with counterparts in China, to specifically address the problem in the China Sea and strengthen bilateral ties.”
De Venecia, president of the Association of Women Legislators, Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI), led a 12-woman congressional delegation in China from May 8 to 18, for a people-to-people exchange.
It was the first and only delegation from the Philippine government after the filing by the Philippines of an arbitration case in the United Nations despite China’s unequivocal refusal to subject the territorial row to international mediation. It also came, three weeks after the Obama visit, viewed as the country’s counterweight to China.
Vice Minister Chen Fengxiang of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) was visibly moved when he faced the delegation last May 15 in Beijing.
“I commend you for your courage to come here at this sensitive time. Now that you’re here, it fully shows your courage and sincerity to improve our bilateral relations,” he said.
In the end, both parties have decided to continue people-to-people dialogues and work for the improvement of the bilateral ties between the two countries.
“The dispute does not paint the whole picture of our relationship. Our party is eager to develop relations on a mutual benefit. So, more party-to party exchanges between the CPC and Philippine political parties. We are not closing our door and our stand is not confrontational. Let’s work together for the future of our nations,” said Vice Minister Chen.–LVM
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