China today said it was baffled by the Philippines' top diplomat's remarks that its move to build military facilities on contentious shoal will go against the promise of President Xi Jinping to his Philippine counterpart, indicating that tensions between the two sides over disputed South China Sea have returned after a five month bonhomie.
China today said it was baffled by the Philippines' top diplomat's remarks that its move to build military facilities on contentious shoal will go against the promise of President Xi Jinping to his Philippine counterpart, indicating that tensions between the two sides over disputed South China Sea have returned after a five month bonhomie.
As the Philippines' voiced concern over reports that China is close to completing structures to house long range surface-to-air missiles on its man made islets near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in SCS, Beijing reportedly hit back by postponing its commerce minister's planned visit to Manila during which he was expected to sign 40 joint projects worth about billions of dollars.
"President Xi has promised President Duterte they will not reclaim and build structures on Scarborough Shoal," Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay told media in Manila, reminding Beijing that its constructions violated the understanding between the two leaders.
Philippines along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan contest China's claims over all most of the SCS.
Tensions between China and the Philippines escalated after an international tribunal's decision rejecting Beijing's claim over almost all of SCS following a petition from Manila.
Duterte visited Beijing last October and agreed to keep aside the SCS dispute and improve the relations.
During his visit, China promised heavy investments in the Philippines to keep up with the peace.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang hit back today, saying that Beijing is baffled over his remarks.
Yasay's comments do not confirm to the sound and rapid development of China-Philippine relations nor they are consistent with the overall stability of the SCS, he said.
"China find them baffling and regrettable. We hope that Yasay can follow the agreement by the two Presidents and desires and wishes of the two countries and exercise prudence and truly maintain over all stability of China-Philippine relations and the region," he said.
Geng played down the postponement of the commerce minister's visit, saying it was due to scheduling problems.
"Last year, President Duarte paid a successful visit to China bringing about a turn around in China-Philippines relations. During that visit the two sides have signed series of agreements. Now with the joint efforts of both sides the agreements are turned into reality. This time the delay is due to scheduling issue," he said.
US officials yesterday said China has nearly finished building almost two dozen structures on artificial islands in the SCS which appeared to have designed to house long-range surface-to-air missiles.
Commenting on the reports, Geng said China has indisputable sovereignty over the island and the adjacent waters. "China firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," he told the media.
"I want to reiterate that China carrying out normal facility construction, including deploying necessary and appropriate national defence facilities, on its own territory, is exercising a right bestowed by international law to sovereign states," he said.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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