THE Philippines has assured China that it will not participate in the United States's planned global "show of force" in November, Malacañang said on Tuesday, October 9.
This was the commitment made by President Rodrigo Duterte during his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua at Malacañan Palace on Monday, October 8, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. told a press conference.
Duterte is preparing to host Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will visit Manila in November.
Roque guaranteed that Xi would experience a "seamless" visit to the Philippines.
"The President and Ambassador Zhao discussed the upcoming visit of President Xi to the country this November, which both agreed would further cement the already strong relations between the Philippines and China," Roque said.
"China of course expressed concern over a naval military exercise that the United States will be conducting in the area at about the same time that the Chinese President will be in the Philippines. The President said that we will not take part in that military exercise," Roque said.
A CNN report dated October 4 revealed that the US Navy's Pacific Fleet would conduct a week-long operations in November to caution China that Washington is ready to fight Beijing.
The US Navy, in a draft proposal, was reportedly planning to sail ships and fly aircraft near the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) that is being claimed by China.
Roque said Zhao assured Duterte that China would refrain from acting hostile to other South China Sea claimants, including the Philippines.
He also emphasized that China was aware of possible "dire consequences," if it resorts to a military confrontation with other nations who are also claiming ownership of the contested waters.
"Both agreed that joint exploration in the disputed West Philippine Sea would be to each other’s interest, to both countries’ interest," Roque said.
"And China reiterated that they do not desire any military confrontation as a result of the West Philippine Sea, either with any of the claimant states or with any other powers because China is the biggest user of the West Philippine Sea," he added. (SunStar Philippines)