On July 12th, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague will announce the ruling of the special five-member Arbitral Tribunal on the case filed by the Philippines against China over maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
Ahead of the announcement, Hong Lei, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, released an official statement reiterating Beijing’s rejection of any ruling of the special tribunal. Lei stressed, “The Chinese government will continue to abide by international law and basic norms governing international relations as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and will continue to work with states directly concerned to resolve the relevant disputes in the South China Sea through negotiation and consultation on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law, so as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.’’ However, Lei also underscored that “China does not accept any means of third-party dispute settlement or any solution imposed on China.”
Cognizant of China’s firm stance on the issue, Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr., the newly appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs by the newly installed administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, expressed the Philippine government’s caution not to make provocative reactions on the ruling, arguing for the new Philippine administration to rely on China’s goodwill. In a press conference in Manila, Yasay underscored, “There is always a possibility that China might take more aggressive action insofar as its reaction to the decision of the arbitral tribunal, especially as it would be in favor with the Philippines. While we say this as a matter of possibility, there is also the equal possibility that China will not because it has assured us of its relationship of goodwill with us.”
Even President Duterte, in his first cabinet meeting, urged new Philippine officials not to “taunt or flaunt’’ the ruling contending that, “I really do not want to declare any fighting with anybody. If we can have peace by just talking, I would really be very happy.”
Apparent from the various statements of the new Philippine government is its serious intention to talk to China in order to peacefully manage the South China Sea Disputes even after the arbitration ruling. While the ruling may give the Philippines the moral and legal victory on the arbitration, the Duterte administration believes in improving bilateral ties with China can the Philippines only enjoy political victory.
In fact, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Yasay even urged China to avoid violence after the arbitration ruling and to refrain from harming Filipino fishermen who have resumed their livelihood in the Scarborough Shoal. Yasay pointed out, “What if, in the phase of these circumstances, China will dig in and put us in a test? They will disallow again our fishermen from fishing in our Scarborough Shoal. I think, if this should happen, there is no point for us.” Thus, the Duterte Government finds it more prudent to improve ties with China after the arbitration ruling.
However, the Duterte administration is facing strong pressure from other major powers to act strongly on the arbitration ruling. Yasay disclosed, “Those who are concerned about ensuring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the place, they seem to project the impression that if the decision will come out and it would be in our favor, they would like for us to make stronger statements.”
Without mentioning these major powers, Yasay alluded to the pressures from the United States and Japan for the Philippines to make strong statements on the arbitration ruling. But Yasay said that he was averse to the pressures from these major powers.
There is, therefore, a strong likelihood that after the arbitration ruling, the Duterte administration will explore ways on how to resume talks with China in order to build a new model for Philippines-China relations. For the Duterte administration, the arbitration ruling should not be a hindrance to repair damaged political ties with China.
Thus, it is essential for China not to overreact on the arbitration ruling and to provide the Philippines a conducive environment to improve Philippines-China relations under the Duterte administration. If China overreacts by changing further the current situation in the South China Sea at the expense of Philippine security, the Duterte administration will face no choice but to succumb to the pressures of other major powers.
But if China reacts calmly on the arbitration ruling and assures the Philippines of its goodwill, the Duterte administration will continue to resist pressures from other major powers in order to build a new era for Philippines-China relations. Duterte is willing to talk to China, and China must read his lips.
