President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, is making
his first official visit to Malaysia. Talks between the two countries
focused on ways to combat threats from militant groups. Extremists from
the southern Philippines, especially Abu Sayyaf, have been responsible
for numerous incidents of piracy and kidnappings in waters between the
two countries.
Duterte gives Malaysia licence to enter waters to pursue pirates
The days of pirates escaping Malaysian authorities by fleeing across the border into Tawi-Tawi waters are over.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in his inaugural visit to Malaysia, has given Malaysia the licence to enter his country’s waters in pursuit of not only kidnappers, but also militants who have been terrorising Sabah’s east coast.
https://youtu.be/dKaUuOzfoLA
Calling this a new development in Putrajaya-Manila ties, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the two leaders agreed on the need to stamp out the security risk which also affects Indonesia.
There were several kidnap-for-ransom cases this year alone, which saw 10 Malaysians whisked away by militant groups based in southern Philippines. Five are still being held captive.
“I appreciate Duterte’s understanding because this is a practical way for us to help each other. It’s a new development which has been agreed by (Indonesian President) Jokowi with Duterte, and now with me.
“We need to stamp out this crime as this is affecting the welfare and security of not only Sabahans but tourists who visit the state,” Najib said after a bilateral meeting with Duterte yesterday.
The Philippine President was here for a two-day visit, his first after assuming the presidency in June.
Defence ministers from Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia will be meeting in Vientiane on Nov 22 to discuss the standard operating procedure and the various legal aspect of this new development.
While authorities from Malaysia and Indonesia are allowed to enter its maritime borders, they have to inform the Philippine navy of their presence in the area.
“If you are in hot pursuit of the bad guys and we reach maritime boundaries, the bad guys will get away if you stop. So, President Duterte said we should continue the chase and he has given us the licence to do so. We are to inform the Philippine navy and they will assist us if they are nearby,” said Najib.
The Prime Minister said new orders would be issued to the security forces based along the Sabah east coast and that this latest development was a clear sign of the two countries’ commitment to eliminate kidnapping incidents.
“This new development will also help move relations between both countries forward.
“While we have been enjoying warm and cordial relations, we have yet to reach our full potential due to security and legal issues,” he added.
On Philippines’ claims over Sabah, Najib said that this was not an issue to be addressed immediately.
Philippines has a long standing claim to Sabah, which was once under the rule of the Sulu Sultanate.
The claim has caused snags in several matters such as the setting up of a BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area) regional office and a consular office in Kota Kinabalu.
Duterte expressed appreciation on Malaysia’s role in the peace process in southern Philippines, said Najib, adding that the Government has agreed to continue placing an international monitoring team there.
“With negotiations completed, there is no need for a facilitator to be placed there, but Duterte has asked for the monitoring team to remain,” he said.
Malaysia has been playing the role of facilitator in the Bangsamoro peace process negotiations and is leading the international monitoring team in the southern Philippines.
On the issue of illegal immigrants in Sabah, Najib said both countries agreed to send home in stages the 7,000 Philippine nationals currently in the state.
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS JOSEPH KAOS JR The Star Asia News Network
Apr 29, 2016 ...Job for new Philippine head: Stop the kidnapping of foreign citizens ... Even as
the foreign governments were working to get their citizens ...
Oct 23, 2016 ... All Western media have noted that the US maneuver was conducted during
Philippine President Duterte's state visit to China in which bilateral ...
The US military revealed to Reuters that its guided-missile destroyer
USS Decatur on Friday conducted a so-called freedom of navigation
mission in the South China Sea. The US military mentioned China's
Yongxing and Zhongjian islands, and said the Chinese mainland, the
island of Taiwan and Vietnam all claim ownership of the Xisha Islands.
It said the destroyer did not come within 12 nautical miles of the
islands.
According to China's Ministry of National Defense, a guided-missile destroyer and a guided-missile frigate were dispatched to identify and expel the US vessel.
All
Western media have noted that the US maneuver was conducted during
Philippine President Duterte's state visit to China in which bilateral
relations have been restored with the signing of a series of cooperative
agreements. This was a provocation by the US, flagrantly telling the
world that it doesn't want to see peace in the South China Sea, and that
it wants waves there. If no one helps it, it will make them itself.
China
as early as 1996 announced that the territorial waters surrounding
Xisha Islands belong to it alone. Unlike the Nansha Islands, the Xisha
Islands are under full Chinese control and Beijing doesn't recognize any
territorial disputes there. A US warship coming to the Xisha Islands
can be viewed as a way to escalate provocations.
The Philippines
has started to shelve its disagreements with China and restore friendly
relations, and has announced the end of its joint military patrols and
exercises with the US. Duterte has talked of "separation" from the US,
which will severely impact the US's strategy. The Pentagon dispatching
warships to patrol at this moment is a clear response to Duterte's visit
to China, sending signals to the region that it will maintain its
presence and continue trying to exert influence.
They chose the
Xisha Islands this time, probably with the intention to arouse the
interest of Vietnam and test its reaction. After Duterte has repeatedly
ridiculed Washington, US ships going to China-Philippines disputed
waters will be fruitless, therefore the US has decided to change
direction.
We hope that Vietnam will see through the US's
intentions and not fall into their trap. Duterte has said the US
military is stationed in the Philippines only out of its own interests
and he has decided to leave the road of conflict that the US has forced
the Philippines to take, which shows that he and many of his compatriots
are fed up with the US profiting from South China Sea tensions at their
expense.
Recently, China and Vietnam have also started to
control disputes and push for better bilateral ties. As China-Philippine
ties improve, the geopolitical situation in the South China Sea has
changed, which is good for the whole region. While the US is not willing
to accept this change, as long as China, Vietnam and the Philippines
stick to their own interests and put cooperation first, a US warship
sailing in the South China Sea will have no effect.
Many critics
have overestimated Washington's tolerance. It has started not to care
about its image as a "world leader," but is becoming nothing more than a
troublemaker.
Why the US resents Beijing-Manila rapport ?
In a signed article published by the latest issue of Foreign Affairs, US
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter tried to trumpet the US rebalance to
the Asia-Pacific strategy, claiming the US can "help ensure that the
next 70 years in the region are as secure, stable, and prosperous as the
last."
He also used more than a few words to criticize China,
arguing that "Beijing sometimes plays by its own rules and undercuts
those [regional] principles."
The article was published during
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to China. A number of steps
Duterte took, especially this visit, are regarded as undermining the
US' South China Sea strategy, which is core to the US rebalance to the
Asia-Pacific.
As the most outstanding diplomatic and political
legacy of Barack Obama's presidency, Washington's rebalancing strategy
is now in crisis. Besides the Philippines' fresh start over the South
China Sea issue, the chances that US Congress will pass the
Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal are slim. Carter's article is
refuting those voices pessimistic about the US strategy of rebalancing
to the Asia-Pacific.
Washington has been claiming credit for safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific, including the South China Sea.
Now
the Philippines and China have reached a rapport after intense conflict
over the maritime dispute. Washington should feel happy about the
stabilization of the situation, but look how begrudging it is.
President
Obama announced an overall lifting of the weapons ban on Vietnam during
his visit there in May, a move widely seen as targeting China. But
Beijing reacted positively about the improved ties between the former
foes. Washington should take the same gesture, even if it is faking it,
to compliment Beijing and Manila on their return to a friendly track.
Apart
from the Beijing-Manila reconciliation, choppy waters between Beijing
and Hanoi have also calmed down. The US should welcome the change and
encourage claimants to negotiate for win-win cooperation if it really
cares about the benefits of regional countries.
However, the US
seems to be unhappy and feel betrayed. It is widely believed that
Washington is pressuring Manila to return to confrontation against
Beijing. US public opinion is hoping Duterte can retake a tough stand
over Huangyan Island.
The major conflicts in the South China Sea
are becoming those between China and the US, rather than territorial
disputes. It is not difficult to cool Beijing's disputes with Manila and
Hanoi down to a level that will not seriously jeopardize their friendly
cooperation. Whether the US can restrain itself from the urge to
dominate regional order and using "rules" as an excuse to contain China
is a real test.
To Washington, rules and principles actually mean
its leadership. US national strength is losing its advantage, but its
obsession and sensitivity to hegemony have increasingly turned extreme,
which leads to many problems.
China has no intention to drive the
US out of Asia. In many cases, it doesn't reject the US' willingness to
be a global leader. But we hope it knows that its strength is limited,
as well as its understanding of the world. - Global Times
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte arrives in Beijing on October 18, 2016, beginning his state visit to China. [Photo: Chinanews.com]
https://youtu.be/iWDQDWqZoyU
https://youtu.be/77qewVIdo3c
US media churlish on Duterte’s China visit
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's ongoing trip to China has been seen as a gamble by the American media. Their astonished reaction clearly shows the selfish considerations of the US and its Western allies on the South China Sea issue. They take Philippine willingness to be a loyal part of the US alliance system as granted.
While providing security to the Philippines, Washington treats Manila as a pawn. The alliance requires the Philippines to serve US interests. To Washington, the Philippines' value lies in providing military bases and legitimacy for the US containment of China in the South China Sea. As to the price Manila has to pay, it isn't a problem at all for Washington.
We don't foresee that the Philippines under the Duterte administration will break with the US. The majority of Chinese scholars on international strategy don't think it will ever happen. Duterte appears more to be striving for increased diplomatic autonomy. Instead of serving Washington's rebalance to the Asia-Pacific strategy, he is redesigning Philippine foreign policy based on Philippine interests.
Manila has shifted its China policy from one of confrontation during the Aquino era to being friendly and cooperative, as China's support is essential for its economic development. Washington needs Manila to stick to its geopolitical role, but 100 million Filipinos want a better life more.
The Philippines needs support to improve infrastructure, for which the US offers no help. Washington only sends soldiers and military equipment, but the security threat it paints is exaggerating to Filipinos.
Duterte's China visit burst the "China threat" bubble jointly blown by Aquino and the US. Arbitration and US aircraft carriers are useless in solving maritime disputes between Beijing and Manila. Friendly engagement and negotiations are more beneficial to the Philippines. Aquino was more like a gambler, betting that confronting China would win public support and that all ASEAN countries would follow the US. He lost the bet.
Development and cooperation are the major theme in Southeast Asia, but the US is pushing the region to the opposite pole for its selfish strategic gains. It is a costly strategy. Washington ties Manila and Hanoi to its chariot for its China-containment strategy in the South China Sea, but the latter could have more room to cooperate with China.
A BBC opinion piece expects Duterte to focus on the maritime disputes and re-evaluate the importance of the alliance with the US some day. Beijing does not expect the Philippines to swing fully to China, but we are also clear that the Sino-Philippine friendship is in line with the long-term interests of Duterte and the Philippines as a whole. That's enough. The US and Western mainstream media would be foolish to expect a Manila that is hostile to Beijing for Washington's South China Sea strategy. Such a scenario will probably not reappear during Duterte's term of office.
China should reciprocate Duterte’s overture
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte embarked on his state visit to China today. This visit would have been unimaginable three months ago when the Philippines, as an initiator of the South China Sea arbitration and a key pivot of the US strategy of rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, was in sharp conflict with China over maritime disputes. Duterte has made a fresh start with Beijing-Manila ties and the nation's regional strategies after coming into office, and thus is widely regarded as a "subverter."
Duterte's straightforward way of speaking and acting has made a deep impression on the world. He extended the olive branch to China soon after taking office, making China the first country outside ASEAN for an official visit and speaking publicly in favor of Beijing. Now it's China's turn to receive his olive branch.
Since assuming office, Duterte reprioritized national affairs, taking the public's attention from the South China Sea back to domestic governance. Meanwhile, he insists on Manila's right to an independent foreign policy and opposes Washington's excessive control over the Philippines, which has riled the US. The announcement of a suspension of Washington-Manila joint patrols and military drills has particularly rocked this alliance.
The Philippines plays a special role in the South China Sea situation. Manila is Washington's ally and the most ideal pawn for Washington and Tokyo to intervene in the South China Sea issue. Duterte's predecessor Benigno Aquino III provoked strongly as he was backed by the US and Japan. Washington also counts on Manila to acquire legitimacy to launch South China Sea joint patrols. Once the Sino-Philippine relationship is returned to a friendly track, the US strategy of rebalancing will be undermined in the South China Sea.
Some are suspicious of Duterte's sincerity toward China. However, Duterte's policy has clear logic. China is his best partner in the anti-drug fight and for infrastructure construction. He is realistic and clear that the Philippines is only serving the US China-containment policy if it goes against China on the South China Sea issue.
Duterte's understandings on the Sino-Philippine relationship reflect his left-wing political ideas. Whether he can resist pressure from domestic pro-US forces is key to the issue.
We call on China to grasp this major strategic opportunity brought by the Duterte administration. At the moment, China can make more efforts to facilitate the turnaround of the bilateral relationship. Beijing-Manila ties suffered an overall retreat during Aquino's rule. Two-way trade dropped, Chinese tourist groups to Philippines stopped and fruit imports to China were affected. Changes are now happening.
The Philippine media has focused on the issue of fisheries around Huangyan Island. Duterte, under great domestic pressure, is strongly expected by Philippine media to bring a breakthrough on the issue.
Sovereignty is non-negotiable, but China can adopt a flexible policy on the Philippines' fishing rights. Filipino fishermen fish on a shoestring and are unlikely to jeopardize the ecosystem of China's waters.
A flexible fishing policy will bring the Sino-Philippine relationship to a new stage. As a major power, China should express its goodwill to Filipino fishermen and their president at this time. Washington's strategy of rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific has increased China's diplomatic and economic costs in Southeast Asia, and it is necessary for Beijing to reciprocate Manila for its clear stance of not willing to serve the US' China strategy.
It is more effective to address the disputes in a friendly, instead of a confrontational way. China should make this clear to the world to win more respect in the world. - Global Times
Sep 7, 2016 ...Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called Barack Obama a "son of a w****"/"
son of a bitch" on Monday as he vowed not to be lectured by the ...
Taking the cue from both China’s and Malaysia’s approach to South China Sea disputes.
Towards 'Diamond 40 Years': File pic showing Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak(4th left) and Chinese Prime Minister, Li Keqiang (3rd, right) at the group photo session with Malaysian youths during his six-day official visit to China in conjunction with 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China bilateral relations in May 2014 - Bernama
RECENTLY, the South China Sea disputes had been hyped up as a hotspot issue in regional security and discussed in almost every regional and international forum, resulting from the high-profile interference of and the manipulation by some powers outside the region.
In fact, this issue should be solved through negotiation and consultation by parties directly concerned.
Furthermore, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, which has never been affected, has been misinterpreted by some country as “freedom exclusive to its own military vessels and planes” and flexing its muscles.
The illegal arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines has been labelled as a “benchmark of law-ruling” by the West, suggesting that judicial settlement is the only way to solve disputes in the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, the approach of non-conflicting and friendly consultation has been overshadowed by the noise and chaos.
One day, a friend of mine asked me, is Malaysia a claimant in the South China Sea? If yes, why is the Malaysia-China and Philippines-China relations poles apart? This is indeed a good question.
There is no essential difference between the two pairs of ties.
As China’s close neighbours, Malaysia and the Philippines have enjoyed traditional friendship with China.
Both were the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with China among Asean states. However, while the Malaysia-China relationship is “at the best time of history” and on the path to a new era of “Diamond 40 Years”, the Philippines-China relationship is experiencing severe difficulties.
The reason behind such a striking contrast lies in the different ways the two claimants chose to deal with the disputes with China.
While Malaysia has consistently been committed to maintaining friendly relationship, properly handling disputes, strengthening cooperation and enhancing comprehensive strategic partnership with China, the Philippine president Benigno Aquino III, on the contrary, misjudged the international situation, acted as a pawn of an outsider’s geopolitical strategy, and chose to confront China.
China and Malaysia Set a Model of Amicable Consultations
China and Malaysia enjoy a time-honoured friendship. There are lots of historical records in China about the Malay peninsula since the Tang and Song Dynasties.
In the 15th century, the Ming Dynasty established close relations with the Sultanate of Malacca. Over 600 years ago, Admiral Zheng He stationed at Malacca five times during seven voyages.
He promoted friendship, developed trade and maintained justice in the area. From Admiral Zheng, people have learned the essence of Chinese culture where peace and good neighbourliness always come first.
They do believe that China has no gene of expansion, plunder or aggression. Instead, China can be a trustworthy friend and reliable partner of Malaysia.
Then Prime Minister Tun Razak first adjusted the policy on China 42 years ago with strategic insight among Asean leaders in the context of the Cold War.
The relations between the two countries have taken a lead in China’s relations with Asean countries and set a model of friendship in the region.
After four decades, bilateral relations between China and Malaysia are full of vitality and stimulus with deeper mutual trust, frequent high-level visits, constant party-to-party and local exchanges and fruitful cooperation.
China has become Malaysia’s largest trading partner for seven years and Malaysia is China’s largest trading partner in Asean for eight years, and sixth largest in the world.
The bilateral trade volume has reached US$100bil (RM407.5bil). There are also many iconic cooperation projects.
The high-tech cooperation has reached the skies and seas. Malaysia has long been a popular destination for Chinese tourists.
Consulates-general in Kota Kinabalu and Penang and Nanning have been set up. The Malay Studies Centre was established in the Beijing Foreign Studies University and the Confucius Institutes were set up in Universiti Malaya and Segi University.
Xiamen University Malaysia Campus welcomed its first batch of students this year. Pandas Xing Xing and Liang Liang settled in Zoo Negara and gave birth to a baby panda named “Nuan Nuan”, reflecting our heartwarming bond.
Bilateral cooperation in finance, technology, defence and other fields is also striding forward. The seed sowed by the leaders has grown into a flourishing tree, blossomed and yielded fruits.
It is normal for neighbours to have differences and problems. Malaysia is one of the claimants in the South China Sea.
However, this has never hindered the development of our relations. The key is that the leaders of both countries weigh the situation in the perspective of history and experiences, recognise the trend of the world and always place cooperation and mutual development as a priority.
The leaders have frequently exchanged views on the issue of the South China Sea and reached a series of important consensus.
Both sides agree to deal with disputes through friendly consultations and dialogues, avoiding the issue of sabotaging the bilateral relations.
Furthermore, both China and Malaysia object to intervention by forces outside the region. When the Philippines was unilaterally pursuing the South China Sea arbitration case in May 2014, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib revisited China to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Both sides emphasised that “all sovereign states directly concerned shall exercise self-restraint and settle their differences by peaceful means, through friendly consultations and negotiations, and in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.”
Both sides recognised that “intervention or involvement of parties not directly concerned could be counter-productive and further complicate the aforementioned differences.”
It is based on such consensus that the two sides have properly managed their differences, pushed forward their relations, benefited the two peoples and set a good example for regional countries in dealing with disputes.
Unilateral Arbitration is a Wrong Option
The Philippines’ conduct was contrary to Malaysia’s friendly and proper handling of the disputes with China.
In recent years, President Aquino abandoned the commitment of the former government, relied on a superpower to hype up the disputes in the South China Sea, and insisted on confronting China.
He became world “famous” as the arbitration case is a farce. When his term ends, apart from the severe consequences of undermining the China-Philippines traditional friendship, his political legacy will only be piles of bills from the tribunal.
China and the Philippines have a long history of friendly exchanges. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1975, only one year after China and Malaysia.
Until 2012 when the Philippines deliberately stirred up the Huangyandao Incident and went on a path of confrontation, relations between the two countries had developed soundly and stably with fruitful cooperation in various fields which brought tangible benefits to their two peoples.
For instance, it was China and the Philippines that first launched joint maritime seismic undertaking which became a precious endeavour in the South China Sea.
The two sides launched friendly negotiations and achieved positive outcome in establishing dialogue mechanism, carrying out pragmatic cooperation and promoting joint development.
During President Arroyo’s visit to China in 2007, both sides praised the relations between two countries as a “golden era”.
It is deeply regrettable that on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Philippines relations in 2015, the bilateral ties were upset by the arbitration case, instead of entering a “diamond era” from the “golden era” as China and Malaysia has.
Compared with the breadth, depth and warmth of the friendly interaction between China and Malaysia, shouldn’t the Philippines introspect itself?
As a Chinese old saying goes, “close neighbors are more important than remote relatives.” Forces outside the region may come and go whenever they want, but China and Philippines are neighbours that cannot move away from each other.
As a country committed to regional peace and stability as well as promoting economic development, China sincerely welcomes all the regional countries to take a ride together for deeper mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
The Philippines’ inflexibility on the arbitration case will only sacrifice its own opportunities and interest.
Amicable Consultation is the Only Way Out
People in littoral states along the South China Sea have lived for a long time in peace and harmony, ready to help each other when in need. Although in the 1960s and 1970s, some changes took place and new problems emerged, China and Asean states have consistently engaged in dialogues and communication and maintained overall peace and stability at sea without interference from powers outside the region.
The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed by China and Asean in 2002 has played an indispensable role.
Even if the South China Sea issue heats up, China will still stick to settling disputes through negotiation and consultation in a peaceful way. China has also proposed the “Dual Track Approach”, that is, the relevant disputes should be solved by the sovereign states directly concerned through consultation and negotiation, and that peace and stability in the South China Sea should be maintained through joint efforts of China and Asean member states.
The approach is in full accordance with international laws and practices, and has been supported by most of the Asean countries including Malaysia and Brunei which are also claimants in the South China Sea.
History will prove again that friendly consultation is the right way to settle the disputes in the South China Sea.
China is strongly opposed to the unilateral action by the Philippines and China’s position of non-acceptance and non-participation in the arbitration case will not change.
The new Philippine Government should discard illusions and return to the right track. As a matter of fact, Malaysia and Brunei have already set good examples.
Just as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated, the arbitration case is a knot that has impeded the improvement and development of China-Philippines relations.
As to how to untie the knot, it depends on the Philippines. China wishes that the new Philippine Government will make a wise choice in consideration to improving the relations and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation between the Philippines and China.
The Philippines should cease its arbitral proceedings, refuse to be a pawn anymore and return to bilateral negotiation with China.
China is standing ready to commit itself to full and effective implementation of the DOC and making continuous efforts with all relevant parties to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Dr. Huang Huikang
The writer is the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
Meeting of two leaders: Najib talking to Duterte during the Philippines President’s visit to the Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya. — Bernama
Philippine, Malaysia to cooperate on combating terror groups
Job for new Philippine head: Stop the kidnapping of foreign citizens
