Aquino to raise Spratlys row in state visit to Beijing

President Benigno Aquino III will relay to Chinese President Hu Jintao the Philippine stand on the two countries overlapping claims over territories in the South China Sea, Malacañang said on Thursday.

The President’s spokesperson, Edwin Lacierda, said there was still no firm schedule on Mr. Aquino’s state visit to Beijing, expected in the third quarter of the year.

He told reporters the Department of Foreign Affairs was arranging the visit.

Lacierda said the President had been informed about developments in the Spratlys.

“At the proper time, the President will relay to the Chinese officials, his counterpart, as to the conduct and attitude of the Philippines and the decision of the Philippines on that matter or the stand of the Philippines on that matter,” he said.

“We believe that we are asserting only what we claim is in our sovereign capacity … in the ownership of those nondisputed areas,” Lacierda said, reacting to Chinese criticism that the Philippines was issuing “irresponsible statements.”

“We have always strived for a peaceful resolution,” Lacierda said. “So we will strive to resolve this situation peacefully and diplomatically.”