Disputes among countries over the development of South China Sea might have been sensitive, but "the question is less complex than it appears to be". In fact, the Philippines' Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo thinks there are no obstacles at all in the development of the sea.

"As late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping said, 'why don't we convert the area from one of conflict to one of peace, development and progress?' That is what we are doing now," Romula told China Daily in Beijing recently.

"We are working together and that's the purpose of a tripartite agreement on joint seismic undertaking between China, Vietnam and the Philippines and it's running very well," said Romula, who was on a three-day official visit to China at the invitation of Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

Oil companies from the three countries signed a landmark tripartite agreement in Manila on March 15, 2005, to jointly tap oil and gas resources in the disputed South China Sea. The historic pact was preceded by a series of peaceful and friendly negotiations among the South China Sea neighbors.

The agreement proves the three countries are taking steps to fulfill the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in South China Sea between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Besides, it will help solve the disputes over the sea, maintain peace and stability and ensure the development of the region.

Thanks to the pact, despite agreeing with Vietnam in April to explore the sea for resources, British Petroleum changed its plan because of China's objection. Beijing has maintained that disputes should be handled through "equal consultations" on the principle of "joint development and by putting aside differences".

"We are tackling the security issue (in the region). That's why we have a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," Romulo said. "And that's why we are happy to support the six-party talks on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the September 19 and February 13 statements of the six parties."

Romulo flew to Pyongyang on Tuesday after completing his visit to China. He was expected to meet with the newly appointed foreign minister of North Korea, Pak Ui-chun, and Supreme People's Assembly President Kim Yong-nam in Pyongyang.

The Philippines is the "chair of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and (president of ASEAN). I'm going to invite North Korea to our discussion scheduled for August in Manila", he said. The ARF is Asia's only security forum and comprises the 10 ASEAN members and its security partners, including those involved in the six-party talks: China, the US, North Korea, South Korea, Japan and Russia.

The biggest hurdle in the negotiations has hopefully been overcome with the release of North Korean funds, which were frozen in Macao-based Banco Delta Asia, he said. That can only help bring peace to the people in the region.

But will he ask Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program? "We are going to congratulate them for taking that path. In fact, they have invited the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) because they have all the intention to close their nuclear reactor in Yongbyon." Romulo said. A peaceful resolution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue through "decisive diplomacy and meaningful dialogue" was imperative.

Talking about cooperation, he said countries in the region would benefit if they strengthened their trade ties with China. The Chinese economy is booming, growing at the rate of more than 9 percent a year. It has an international reserve of more than US$1 trillion. "And I think China will continue to have a favorable trade balance across the world of many more billions of dollars."

"Between ASEAN and China, there are about almost 2 billion people. That's a tremendous market, and also (offers) tremendous opportunities. I think the region would benefit only if there is interaction and integration among the economies of the region." The challenge for China, too, is how to strengthen trade ties - with ASEAN and East Asian countries. "China can help us a lot with our three goals, that is, the security community, the socio-culture community and the economic community."

China and the ASEAN plan to create a mutual free trade zone before 2010 to further boost their trade volume from more than US$160 billion in 2006 and an estimated US$190 billion this year. "We hope the China-ASEAN free trade zone will become a reality before 2010 because that will benefit the entire region."

This visit to China has also given "us an opportunity to hold talks on how to consolidate Sino-Philippine ties", he said, referring to talks with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. The current period can be described as the "golden age" of bilateral ties, and hopefully it will become more precious with the passage of time.

"We have very close relationship in many fields - in regional and international affairs, in bilateral and people-to-people relations and of course in trade and investment. All of these are very important for us to consolidate our ties."

China is helping the Philippines with a US$503 million railway project by offering low-interest loan through its Export-Import Bank. It involves the restoration of 70 km of tracks from Caloocan City to Bulacan, north of Manila. "Work on the project started last October, and we hope it would be completed early next year," Romulo said. The railway will benefit a lot of people in the region because it will make traveling and freight easier.

To elucidate the benefits of smooth movement of goods, Romula says more than 2 million Chinese live in the Philippines, and they lead a good life because most of them are in business.

Going a step further, he declared: "Let me say that most of the Filipinos have Chinese ancestry, so I think there is good assimilation not only in the business, commercial and economic life, but also in the political life of the country."

(China Daily June 21, 2007)