The Philippines yesterday said that China’s “expansion agenda” in the disputed South China Sea threatens security and stability in the region, calling on all claimant states to halt construction activities that may raise tensions.
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario said that he supported US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Daniel Russel’s proposal for China and Southeast Asian states to get together for dialogue.
“Let’s call for a moratorium in terms of activities that escalate tension,” Del Rosario told ANC Television yesterday.
“Now, let’s do that while we work on an expeditious conclusion of the code of conduct and effective implementation,” Del Rosario said.
Del Rosario said China and other claimant states have been rushing construction activities in their respective claimed territories, citing works in Fiery Cross Reef (Yongshu Reef, 永暑礁), Johnson South Reef (Chigua Reef, 赤瓜礁), Gaven Reef and Cuarteron Reef.
“They’re accelerating their expansion agenda for the following reasons. What are they? One is they want to do this before the conclusion of the code of conduct. They’re also trying to do this very quickly in anticipation of the handing down of the tribunal award,” Del Rosario said.
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