China, Philippines accord on Spratlys

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, MAY 18. The Philippines and China, entering into a framework agreement on bilateral cooperation in the 21st Century, have decided to settle their dispute over the Spratlys in a spirit of ``good neighbourliness.'' This was disclosed by the Philippine President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, in Beijing on Wednesday during his current official visit to China.

According to Mr. Estrada, the Philippines and China would endeavour to settle the Spratlys question in accordance with the principles of international jurisprudence including the Law of the Sea.Manila has also reaffirmed its adherence to a one-China policy. While there is nothing new in the latest accord between the Philippines and China, the real significance lies in the fact that Beijing has been enlarging the geopolitical scope of its network of new agreements with South East Asian countries for cooperation with each of them in the 21st Century. The first such agreements was signed more than a year ago.

For Manila, however, and more especially Mr. Estrada, a diplomatic equation for a new modus vivendi with Beijing, as indicated at present, will be an immensely important confidence- building measure. Mr. Estrada had, in the recent past, pointed to China as the bogeyman of the region while pushing his country back into the U.S.'s geostrategic embrace. Bilateral cooperation with China in spheres such as science and technology and the farm sector has also been agreed to now.

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Section  : International
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