China holds out olive branch to Philippines over dispute
China says it is ready to start negotiations on its territorial dispute with the Philippines if Manila ignores a court ruling expected next week on the discord over the South China Sea.
In an attempt to challenge China’s claims, the Philippines took a case to Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague and the tribunal is expected to hand down a ruling on July 12.
The official China Daily said on Monday Beijing is ready to negotiate "issues such as joint development and cooperation in scientific research if the new government (in Manila) puts the tribunal's ruling aside."
"Manila must put aside the result of the arbitration in a substantive approach," the paper quoted unnamed sources as saying.
China has rejected the arbitration, saying the court has no jurisdiction over the dispute. The country has asked the Philippines to solve the territorial issue bilaterally.
China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam as well as the Philippines.
Last month, China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing and Manila had agreed in 1995 to settle disputes in the South China Sea "in a peaceful and friendly manner through consultations on the basis of equity and mutual respect."
Experts say the court ruling would risk further inflaming tensions in the region.
The sea has so far become a source of tension between China, the US, and some other regional countries, who are seeking control of trade routes and mineral deposits there.
The US accuses China of attempting to take advantage of the situation and gradually asserting control over the region.
China rejects the allegations and says the US is interfering in regional affairs, deliberately stirring tensions in the South China Sea.
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