12/09/2010

AFP chief meets with Chinese defense officials on Spratlys

MANILA, Philippines—Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo David met with top Chinese military and defense officials in China this week to reaffirm the two countries' commitment toward peacefully resolving the dispute over the Spratly islands, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

“The Philippines is committed to resolve disputes in the South China Sea in the most peaceful way together with China and Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] countries,” David told the Chinese officials, according to a DFA statement.

The development came after Vera Files, an investigative journalism website, revealed on Monday that aerial shots of a disputed island had shown the presence of a lighthouse built by the Chinese, a claim of ownership.

In a report to the DFA, the Philippine Embassy in Beijing said David met with China’s Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and People’s Liberation Army Chief of General Staff General Chen Bingde in Beijing on December 8 and 7, respectively.

Read more at  Inquier Global Nation

Dec 9, 2010 9:46:35 AM | Current Affairs

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