MANILA, Philippines – This is China’s only request to the United States amid the Scarborough Shoal standoff between Manila and Beijing: for the superpower and the Philippine government to take a “reasonable” position on the dispute.

In a story published by Chinese state media Thursday, April 26, Chinese deputy foreign minister Cui Tiankai noted it has held 3 rounds of strategic consultations with the United States on the South China Sea. China gave the US full presentations on its position, Cui said.

“I hope it would help the American side to keep adopting a reasonable position,” Cui said.

Cui made this statement a week before Manila was expected to take up the Scarborough Shoal standoff during top-level meetings in Washington. 

“The South China Sea issue is not an issue between China and the US, because the US doesn’t have claims over the South China Sea and does not take sides, and we take this position as a reasonable one,” Cui explained.

‘Internationalizing’ issue

US influence in countries with territorial claims in the South China Sea has convinced Chinese leaders of the value of a “moderate” stance toward these disputes, an international think-tank said.

On Wednesday, April 25, China meanwhile warned the Philippines against “internationalizing” the Scarborough Shoal dispute because “it will only complicate in magnify the situation,” according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin.

On the same day, through a note verbale, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs criticized statements from the Chinese embassy in Manila that “are contrary to reality.” – Rappler.com