2016年CRI Negotiation between China, Philippines should move ＂step by step＂: Chinese scholar

 

The seminar on the South China Sea and regional development wrapped up earlier this week in Singapore.

After the one-day meeting, Zhao Qizheng, with the Renmin University of China, said that it is hoped that China and the Philippines can restart bilateral¹ step by step negotiations².

Speaking to a media briefing, the former minister of China's State Council Information Office noted³ China and the Philippines share many common interests despite some contradictions and conflicts on both sides.

"Though we are not satisfied with the process and purpose of the action taken by the Philippines, we still hold the view that China can strive for friendly future relations with the Phillipines and all other ASEAN members. Under no circumstance should these relations be affected⁴ by our disputes with the Philippines."

The dispute between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea has lasted for decades.

Their relations were almost stalled after the government of former Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III filed the arbitration⁵ against China in 2013, regardless of a series of bilateral agreements with China stipulating⁶ that any disputes between them should be settled through bilateral negotiations.

Zhao suggested the problem is a complicated one to solve in the near future, and the best approach would be to start with matters that are easy to reach agreements on and then, move on to more complex issues.

He said joint⁷ developments between the two sides are broad, ranging from resources, fisheries and maritime⁸ rescue to meteorologic data exchange as well as disaster relief at sea and that cooperation in these areas should move forward step by step.

Meanwhile Li Guoqiang, with the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies, said that China's door to dialogue has always been open, and bilateral negotiations and peaceful settlement of disputes are always welcomed.

The current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed readiness and willingness to hold bilateral talks with China, saying that he is planning to send an envoy⁹ to China to restart negotiations.

Li said he hopes the South China Sea issue can get back on the track of diplomatic negotiations based on mutual¹⁰ respect and joint consultation¹¹.

"The new president of the Philippines will send a special envoy to China. We are looking forward to consultation by the two sides in the spirit of mutual respect, so as to bring the South China Sea issue back to diplomatic negotiations in a proper manner."

In particular, he stressed that if the two countries restart the diplomatic mechanism¹², under no circumstances should the South China Sea arbitration be used as reference.

For CRI, this is Liu Mohan. 

1 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

2 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

5 arbitration   

n.调停，仲裁

参考例句：

• The wage disagreement is under arbitration.工资纠纷正在仲裁中。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding.双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

6 stipulating   

v.（尤指在协议或建议中）规定，约定，讲明（条件等）( stipulate的现在分词 )；规定，明确要求

参考例句：

• Shall we first sign a barter trade agreement stipulating the general terms and conditions? 我们先签一个易货贸易协议，规定一般性条款，行吗？ 来自互联网
• The other firm are stipulating for and early exchange of information regarding the contract. 作为协议条件，另一家公司坚持要求早日交换有关合同的信息。 来自互联网

7 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

8 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

9 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

10 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

11 consultation   

n.咨询；商量；商议；会议

参考例句：

• The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.该公司允诺就其扩展计划广泛征求意见。
• The scheme was developed in close consultation with the local community.该计划是在同当地社区密切磋商中逐渐形成的。

12 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。