(Eagle News)–The Philippines is eyeing to sign the agreement on the joint exploration of the South China Sea with China “anytime between now and the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping” this year.
This is according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who spoke in a press conference on Thursday, Aug. 9.
“No time frame…It was not expressly stated as such,” Roque said.
Despite the plan, Roque reiterated it was “clear we are not giving up any territory.”
“Malinaw po na wala tayong pinamimigay na teritoryo. We are working with the realities of modern day life. We are working with the realities of geopolitics,” he said.
“But we are promoting the national interest first and foremost,” he added.
The country’s relations with China have improved since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed the presidency.
Although the Permanent Court of Arbitration sided with the Philippines and declared null China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, Duterte said this was not the right time to raise the same with the Asian giant.
He said, however, that he would raise the ruling at the appropriate time.
