Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Beijing is open to the drafting of a "code of conduct" governing disputes in the South China Sea, a decision welcomed by ASEAN - an association that unites 10 south-east Asian countries - as confirmed by the Thai Foreign Minister, who speaks of choice "very significant". However, in spite of the progress made by diplomacy, tension remains high between China and the Philippines who continue to trade accusations and threats. In the end, control in the South and East China Sea is important for the exploitation of oil and natural gas enclosed in the marine subsoil, as well as key trade routes.
Beijing and the
nations in the region have reached an agreement that will lead to the
organization of a meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers, which follows the
summit already scheduled for August in Thailand dedicated to the disputes in
the South China Sea. The
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has confirmed Beijing's willingness to
cooperate, "so that the sea that surrounds us is a sea of peace,
friendship and cooperation."
The
statements by the Chinese Minister, however, are not enough to mend the diplomatic
crisis with the Philippines. Manila
accuses Beijing of "militarization" of the South China Sea. Fueling
the tension, the alleged encroachment in Philippine waters - as often happened
in the past - of three vessels flying China's flag. For
the Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario the "massive"
presence of military and paramilitary Chinese vessels near the Scarborough
Shoal and Second Thomas shoal is a threat to peace in the Asia-Pacific region.
Chinese media
and public opinion have responded harshly to the charges from Manila, with
vitriolic editorials in the newspapers close to the government and the party. The
newspapers speak openly of inevitable "counter-offensive" against the
Philippines, if they continue their provocations against Beijing. In
particular, the People's Daily - the official newspaper of the Communist
Party - is ratcheting up aggressive tones, even if all the players involved -
China, ASEAN countries and even the United States, attending the summit in
Brunei with the Secretary of State John Kerry - have
no interest (currently) to trigger open conflict.
Among
the nations of the Asia-Pacific region, China has the most extensive claims in
the South China Sea, including the almost uninhabited but resource-rich Spratly
and Paracel Islands. Controlling the area is of vital strategic importance for trade as well as oil and natural gas
development. Beijing's expansionist aims have been met by counterclaims by
Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, the Sultanate of Brunei and Taiwan.