China blocks parliamentarians’ views seeking to follow int’l rules – dela Rosa

BAYANIHAN / ENSURING PEACE AND SECURITY: Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa enjoins fellow parliamentarians in Asia-Pacific region to heed the call of providing a peaceful and prosperous future for the people. (Photo on November 24, 2023 from Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — China has opposed all Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) resolutions that encouraged unwavering commitment to international laws.

These documents included the parliamentarians’ adherence to United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa disclosed the position of the Chinese delegates on Friday as he talked with reporters on the sidelines of APPF being held at Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay city.

He said the delegates listened to all the speeches delivered by different delegations, but they still insisted on their own national interest.

According to the senator, aside from Philippines, Indonesia proposed a resolution on maritime security issues.

Indonesia emphasized the need for all APPF member-states to follow international laws.

The resolution, however, was blocked by China.

“[N]aharang naman kahapon sa working group,” dela Rosa said.

(The resolution was blocked in the working group yesterday.)

“Iba [kasi ang] rules sa APPF. There is no division of the house [and] according to our rules, there should be a consensus,” he explained.

(The rules are different in APPF. There is no division of the house [and] according to our rules, there should be a consensus.)

“Meaning, kung meron mag comment, reservations, o opposition towards certain draft resolution ay talagang mababasura ang resolution mo,” he said.

(Meaning, if there are any comments, reservations, or opposition towards a certain draft resolution, your resolution will be thrown out.)

Among the delegations present, only China opposed, said dela Rosa.

“Halos lahat ng paragraph, meron silang reservation,” he observed.

(They have reservations in almost all paragraphs.)

“Tayo, we are espousing an adherence to international laws and international bodies. Sila naman, ang gusto nila, go back to the traditional ways of settling disputes,” the senator made the comparison.

(We are espousing adherence to international laws and international bodies. They, on the other hand, want to go back to the traditional ways of settling disputes.)

Dela Rosa added China wants to “settle disputes” with Philippines without the interference of any international body.