Brusko man malambing din.
Ito ang ipinahiwatig ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte nang umapela sa China na ituring ang mga Pilipino na kapatid at hindi mga kaaway kasabay ng paghingi ng konsiderasyon na pahintulutan ang mga mangingisda sa mga pinagtatalunang karagatan.
“If we continue to treat each other as brothers and continue to understand especially the plight of the fishermen, that’s why they are there because they are poor,” sinabi niya sa National Heroes Day celebration sa Taguig City kahapon.
“If these Chinese people this time may find a place in their hearts for the Filipinos … I hope you treat as your brothers , not enemies and take note of the plight of our citizens,” dagdag niya.
Dalawang Tulfo brothers, nanguna sa survey ng senatorial race
Sinabi ni Duterte na isusulong niya ang softer approach sa China.
“So I proposed that we just have a soft landing everywhere. I will not use the judgment arbitral now. But I would one day sit in front of your representative or you and then I will lay there my position. And I would say that, ‘this paper, I cannot get out of the four corners of this document,’” sabi ng Pangulo.
Binigyang-diin naman ni Chinese Ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua sa panayam ng mamamahayag sa nasabing okasyon na kailangang ibaling ng Pilipinas at China ang kanilang pansin sa interes ng lahat at magtulungan para sa kapakinabangan ng marami.
“We have been partners and friends and even relatives for over thousand years,” sabi ni Ambassador Zhao. “Despite the troubles we have, we’re confident the friendship will be further deepened, the cooperation will be further enhanced.”
Ikinalugod ng China ang mga pahayag ni Duterte na hindi babanggitin ang isyu ng South China Sea sa gaganaping pagpupulong sa East Asia cooperation.
Sa press briefing, na ang transcript ay ipinaskil sa official website ng Chinese Embassy sa Manila, sinabi ni Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang na nananatiling committed ang China sa mapayapang pagresolba sa mga iringan sa South China Sea sa mga bansa na direktang may kinalaman dito kabilang na ang Pilipinas.
“China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors,” sabi ni Lu. “The two countries have the capability and the wisdom to properly address relevant issues through consultation, bring bilateral relations back to the track of sound and stable development, and deliver benefits to the people. We look forward to having dialogue with the Philippines at an early date.” (YAS D. OCAMPO, BELLA GAMOTEA at ROY MABASA)
