China open to contact with Philippines: Chinese FM

China claims around 90 percent of the South China Sea – which is believed to be sitting atop huge oil and gas deposits – but Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also consider some of the region’s waters, islands and reefs to be their territory.

A Philippines presidential envoy met with Chinese officials, in what is being seen as a shift in alliances away from Washington and towards Beijing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Ramos would have private communications with his old Chinese friends during his stay in Hong Kong.

Last month, Fu said at London-based think tank Chatham House while explaining China’s stance on the South China Sea that for long periods of its history, China suffered the humiliation of foreign invasion and aggression, leaving its people and government very sensitive about territorial integrity. “We have to go back to Manila to find out the latest developments on the official side”, Ramos said.

A statement signed by Ramos, Fu and Wu said that in addition to marine conservation and fishing rights, the two nations should cooperate on tourism, investment, and cracking down on drugs and corruption.

China’s effort to persuade world leaders is one of China’s strategies in countering the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which virtually favored the Philippines’ cause.

Ramos said among the issues that had been discussed in his informal dialogue with the two Chinese nationals were the enhanced peace and cooperation between the Philippines and China.

The visit made room to discuss less politicised areas for cooperation, paving the way for more high-stakes talks between Beijing and Manila, he said.

China’s reclamation work in the region, which includes the building of airfields, has prompted the United States and its allies to express alarm over the maritime expansion, which they suspect is aimed at extending its military reach.

Ramos said there would be ample opportunities for talks between the two governments at a series of upcoming global gatherings. They stand to benefit from the tribunal’s ruling should they decide to bring their disputes with China to the court.

“The Philippines should not dream of undermining China’s sovereignty interests and getting China’s investment simultaneously”, he said. It also urged “all claimants to avoid actions that raise tensions”, Reuters said.

China has a coastline of 32,000 km, 380,000 sq km of territorial seas and more than 6,500 islands that have an area of at least 500 square meters.