China’s defense chief eyes better relations with PH

MANILA, Philippines—Amid fresh tensions over the Spratlys, China’s Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie said upon his arrival in Manila that he hoped his visit would help build mutual trust between “friendly neighbors.”

Arriving on Saturday, Liang , state councilor and minister of national defense, said the growth of friendly relations between China and the Philippines not only serves the interest of both nations but also contributes to peace in the region.

“The purpose of my visit is to enhance understanding, build mutual trust, expand common ground, promote cooperation, and push for the continued advancement of our state-to-state and military-to-military relations,” Liang said.

But the Chinese general’s prepared statement did not touch on the reported sighting of Chinese jet fighters over Philippine territorial waters near Reed Bank, part of the disputed Spratly chain of islands claimed by several countries, including the Philippines and China.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier said it was still validating the reports. (See story below.)

On Saturday, Philippine Air Force spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Ernesto Okol said they still could not conclusively say whether the aircraft reportedly seen at an altitude of 5,000 feet over Reed Bank were indeed Chinese.

Liang did not indicate whether the Spratly issue would be raised in his closed-door meetings with Philippine defense and military officials in the next few days.

The Spratly group of islands, a reputedly oil-rich chain of tiny islands and reefs located near Palawan, is claimed wholly or in part by the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan.

In March, two Chinese vessels allegedly harassed a Philippine exploration ship at Reed Bank, prompting the Philippines to send planes and Coast Guard ships to the area.

Last month, the Philippines said it had lodged a formal protest in the United Nations over China’s claim to the Spratly islands and adjacent South China Sea waters, particularly the “nine-dotted line,” a map attached to a 2009 Chinese letter that delineated China’s claim.

“I am looking forward to exchanging in-depth views with leaders of the Philippines and its military on issues of common interest,” Liang said.

“China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors. The friendship between the two peoples can be traced far back into history. Due to the concerted efforts of both sides, recent years have witnessed the smooth development of our state-to-state relations and the steady advancement of our military-to-military cooperation,” he said.

Liang said the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Philippines “not only serves the fundamental interest of our two peoples, but also contributes to regional peace and stability.”

He said that with his visit, he was bringing the good wishes of China’s Ministry of National Defense and all officers and men of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to their Philippine counterparts and the Philippine people.

Ranked fourth in China’s Central Military Commission, the Chinese general oversees day-to-day operations of the PLA, according to the defense department.

Liang, who came upon the invitation of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, will meet with Gazmin and other defense and military officials, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban, during his visit from May 21 to 25.

On Monday, Liang will be accorded full military honors, the defense department said.