President Rodrigo Duterte says the situation in the South China Sea had \u201cimproved considerably.\u201d In a statement issued on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque the President told the East Asia Summit that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China had decided to start negotiations on a code of<\/b>
\nPresident Rodrigo Duterte says the situation in the South China Sea had \u201cimproved considerably.\u201d
In a statement issued on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque the President told the East Asia Summit that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China had decided to start negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea.
\u201cOn the South China Sea issue, [Duterte] cited that the Asean and China agreed to start discussions on the code of conduct,\u201d Roque said. \u201cHe added that the situation in the South China Sea has improved considerably.\u201d
\u201cHe said it is important to have a more peaceful resolution for the maintenance of peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in or above the South China Sea,\u201d Roque added.
Roque said the President also expressed grave concern over the situation in the Korean peninsula, saying it could be \u201ca major flashpoint in the region.\u201d
\u201c[He] strongly urged [North Korea] to immediately comply with its obligations and arrive at relevant resolutions,\u201d Roque said. \u201cHe also expressed support for initiatives to improve territorial relations to establish permanent and lasting peace in the Korean peninsula.\u201d
He said the President highlighted the issue of maritime cooperation as \u201ca new area of cooperation of the East Asia Summit.\u201d
Roque said Duterte saw the importance of promoting infrastructure development to facilitate trade, investment, and service competitiveness and cited the Philippines\u2019 Build-Build-Build Infrastructure Plan.
\u201cThe President stressed the need for cooperation in addressing regional security issues, especially the menace of illegal drugs, terrorism, violent extremism, and human trafficking,\u201d he said.
\u201cHe said better collaboration among Asean member states could prevent the Islamic State from gaining foothold in the region,\u201d he added.
Roque said the President also mentioned Asean\u2019s regional economic integration and that economic empowerment was the key driver towards regional growth.
\u201cHe said Asean member-states and their partners continue to realize the important potentials of micro, small, and medium enterprises,\u201d Roque said.
He said the President concluded the meeting by expressing his \u201cdeepest gratitude to participating states for their active participation in making the Philippines\u2019 chairmanship of Asean a success.\u201d
Check out our Asean 2017 special site for important information and latest news on the 31st Asean Summit to be held in Manila on Nov. 13-15,2017. Visit http:\/\/inquirer.net\/asean-2017 .<\/p>\n