Veteran journo doubts bilateral talks on S. China Sea dispute will work

ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1429011" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="~//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="~//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>MANILA - Bilateral talks may not be the best way to address issues in the South China Sea, said a veteran journalist who wrote a book on the landmark arbitral court ruling that granted the Philippines exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.</p><p>Marites Vitug, author of &quot;Rock Solid: How the Philippines won its maritime case against China,&quot; said Thursday that she found out through official documents that Beijing has never really changed its stance on the issue for almost 20 years.</p><p>&quot;Every time a diplomat talks to a Beijing counterpart, they would always say &#x27;we have indisputable sovereignty over South China Sea.&#x27; It never changed. You&#x27;re like talking to a wall,&quot; she told ANC, baring details from official cables between the two countries.</p><p>Vitug said the government, under then-President Benigno Aquino III, had no other move left at that time but to bring the South China Sea dispute to the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal, a case the Philippine won in 2016, when President Rodrigo Duterte took office.</p><p>But under the Duterte administration, the Philippines and China have had warmer ties with continuing talks through a bilateral consultation mechanism, where potential joint exploration in the disputed waterway is also being discussed.</p><p>&quot;I think bilateral talks would not work when it comes to the South China Sea issue. But in all other areas -- trade, investment, and issues not related to this issue, I think it&#x27;s perfectly normal. It&#x27;s just when it comes to this contentious issue, it&#x27;s very difficult to deal with China because that&#x27;s what they want,&quot; Vitug said.</p><p>Vitug&#x27;s book, which also seeks to make Filipinos aware of the country&#x27;s maritime rights, is now available on selected bookstores. There will also be a talk about the contents of the book at the Ortigas Library on July 25, Wednesday. </p>

<p>Bilateral talks may not be the best way to address issues in the South China Sea, said a veteran journalist who wrote a book that chronicled the landmark arbitral court ruling that the Philippines won.</p>

Bilateral talks may not be the best way to address issues in the South China Sea, said a veteran journalist who wrote a book that chronicled the landmark arbitral court ruling that the Philippines won.

Veteran journo doubts bilateral talks on S. China Sea dispute will work | ABS-CBN

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

News

Veteran journo doubts bilateral talks on S. China Sea dispute will work

Veteran journo doubts bilateral talks on S. China Sea dispute will work

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 19, 2018 11:12 AM PHT

Read More:

South China Sea

West Philippine Sea

Marites Vitug

Book

ANC

ANC Top

ANC Exclusive

Headstart

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2024 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Advertise with Us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

© 2024 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.