Ayon kay dating pangulong Fidel Ramos, walang pinag-usapan tungkol sa ruling ng United Nations tribunal sa kanyang naging pakikipag-usap sa mga kaibigang Chinese dito sa Hong Kong. Ang nabanggit lamang daw ay ang pagkakaroon ng 'equal fishing rights' sa West Philippine Sea sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at China, na siyang kalakaran daw bago nagsimula ang hidwaan sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa.
Panoorin ang buong press briefing ni FVR na ginanap kaninang umaga, ika-12 ng Agosto sa Konsulado ng Pilipinas sa Hong Kong.
The full text of the press statement:
10-11 August 2016: Former President and Special Envoy Fidel V.
Ramos met in Hong Kong with his old friends －Madam Fu Ying (Chairman, Foreign
Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress and former Ambassador to
Manila 1998-2000) and Professor Wu Shicun (President, China’s National
Institute for South China Sea Studies) － in a friendly atmosphere.
They discussed, in their private
capacity, the way forward in the spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood
for peace and cooperation between the two countries. Their informal discussions
focused on the need to engage in discussions to build trust and confidence to
reduce tensions to pave the way for overall cooperation for the benefit of both
their peoples and the region.
They explored possible human and
ecological security options and suggestions for the benefit of their peoples,
such as: a.) encouraging marine preservation; b.) avoiding tension and
promoting fishing cooperation; c.) anti-drug and anti-smuggling cooperation;
d.) anti-crime and anti-corruption cooperation; e.) improving tourism
opportunities; f.) encouraging trade and investment facilitation; g.)
encouraging track II (think tank) exchanges on relevant issues of mutual
concern and interest.
They expressed the hope to find
common ground for mutual benefit, especially for the poverty-stricken sectors
of their societies. They stressed that building trust is very important to the
long-term beneficial relationship between the Philippines
and China.
They value the long history of friendship of the two neighboring countries and
the prospect of further cooperation for the sake of future generations.
China
has welcomed former President Ramos to come to Beijing as Special Envoy of Philippine
President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Former President Ramos, as an ice
breaker, expressed the Philippine government’s desire to hold formal
discussions with the Chinese government on issues of mutual concern and
interest at the appropriate time to explore pathways to peace and cooperation.
They reiterated that they are
here in their personal capacity and were pleased with the discussions and
looked forward to the beginning of a process of formal discussions which will
be continued in Beijing and Manila and other possible venues.
The above is confirmed by the
following in their private capacities:
