From Rappler (Mar 3): China on 'offer' to PH: 'Sheer fabrication'
China
China
http://www.rappler.com/nation/52005-china-denies-incentives-philippines-dispute
The Chinese Foreign Ministry flatly denied a report that China offered the Philippines incentives to stop it from filing its memorial, or written pleading, in its historic case over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea ).
In a media briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang denounced reports on these incentives as “sheer fabrication.”
“No one can shake the Chinese government's resolve of safeguarding national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We will never trade away our sovereignty and territory,” Qin said Friday, February 28.
He made this statement after Rappler on Wednesday, February 26, reported that China proposed the mutual withdrawal of ships from the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in exchange for the Philippines
Roilo Golez, a former national security adviser, said a back channel in the territorial dispute tipped him off on the proposed “carrot” from China
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines
On Friday, Qin explained: “With reference to the Philippines ' attempt of initiating arbitration proceeding against China regarding South China Sea dispute, China
'Reject China
On Monday, March 3, party-list group Akbayan carried placards that said, “Reject China's incentives,” in a protest in front of the Chinese consulate in Makati City
The group slammed China
“The Filipino people will not fall for this crude ‘good cop, bad cop’ antic being employed by China
Philippine senators, for their part, cautioned the government about China
“Will it move us forward? Is it mutually beneficial to China , the Philippines
The Philippine government hopes to win the case by 2015.
Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza said it's a “doubly difficult” task for the Philippines , especially because China
To help PH 'save face'
“No. Don't take that carrot," reader Alexis Lao said in Rappler's comments section.
Lao recalled that China did the same thing to the Philippines China to jointly explore the South China Sea, a move seen as giving up the Philippines
Because of this, Lao said the Philippines “should first establish” the West Philippine Sea “as rightfully ours.” Only then can the Philippines “invite China
For Arturo Sarga, another reader, a mutual withdrawal of ships from Panatag “seems fine if only to ease the tension and avoid accidental firings that can lead to a shooting war.” He said China 's offer “is a safe saving face for both China and the Philippines
“Going to the international court? We will only deplete public funds for hiring... lawyers for [an] indefinite time,” he said.
Joseph Zamora questioned the mere idea that the Cabinet discussed this. “There's nothing to think about,” he said. “Why do we have to consider their offer?”
http://www.rappler.com/nation/52005-china-denies-incentives-philippines-dispute