MANILA, Philippines - China’s reclamation projects are not meant for military use, Ambassador Zhao Jianhua told a select group of journalists over the weekend.

“The project is going on. From our perspective, what we are doing is totally within our territory. We have the right to build facilities. We have the right to improve the living and working conditions for the people stationed on these islands and reefs,” he said.

It was the first time that Zhao has given members of local media a briefing since he was assigned to Manila about a year and a half ago.

This came as President Aquino wrapped up a four-day state visit in Japan and the G7 is holding its summit in Schloss Elmau, Germany.

Japan and China have both staked claims over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.

The G7 comprises leaders of Germany, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and the US that are expected to express concern over the disputes in the South China Sea.

Zhao insists that China’s reclamation projects meant no harm for the Philippines and other claimant countries.

He stressed that China will not run against the will of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“No country in this region would like to see instability or even conflict in this region, in particular in South China Sea. China will not run against the will, the common will of our neighboring countries… It is in China’s interest, as well as in the interest of our neighbors, to keep South China Sea a sea of peace, a sea of cooperation and a sea of friendship,” he added.

As Beijing marks 40 years of bilateral relations with Manila, Zhao stressed the need for the Philippines and China to resume bilateral talks to work for a peaceful resolution of the territorial conflict.

Apart from the Philippines and China, other claimant countries include Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

“So we would like to continue our policy for peaceful settlement of the dispute, not only with the Philippines but also with other claimants of South China Sea. This policy will remain unchanged,” he said.

“We would like to see the Philippine side come back to the negotiating table. The door for bilateral negotiation will remain open until we come together, we discuss, negotiate and find a peaceful solution,” Zhao said.

Zhao said China has no intent to wage a war against the Philippines despite the building of facilities in areas around the disputed Spratly Islands.

“Let me say, don’t worry. China will not fight a war with the Philippines. China will not seek any kind of military solution to the settlement of these disputes,” he said.

“So for the next 40 years of bilateral relationship, I am not talking about four years. I am talking about 40 years. We need to think very hard given the current difficult circumstances what China and the Philippines should do in order to bring our bilateral relationship into better and more prosperous future. While we are thinking about this issue, we should bear in mind the common interest of the peoples of the two countries,” he said.

Navigation, not military facility

Zhao pointed out that the facilities being built at the disputed islands are not meant for military purposes but to provide services, not just to Chinese ships but also other vessels using the trade route.

“In the meantime, it is also partly to ensure navigation safety. You know there are many ships going through South China Sea. With these facilities, we can provide services not only to the Chinese ships but also other countries,” he said.

Zhao added that the facilities were “meant to provide services, not to antagonize any people.”

“It’s not meant for military purposes,” he said.

Zhao, however, pointed out that China would be ready to defend its territory if necessary. “Of course, from our position, we have the right to protect our sovereignty and our sovereign rights. It’s not meant to be used primarily for military purpose,” he said.

The Chinese envoy also criticized the US for trying to militarize the issue by again pushing for the reinstatement of military bases in the Philippines.

“Some people are accusing China of militarizing the South China Sea. It’s not true,” he added.

“On the contrary, we have seen a certain country is trying to come back to the Philippines by asking two military bases for them to rotate and deploy their most advance air and navy forces,” Zhao said.

Without directly referring to the US, Zhao noted this country had “publicly announced 60 percent of the total navy and air forces would be deployed in this region, particularly the Philippines. So who is militarizing this region?” he said.

Read more on The Philippine Star

