Undiplomatic rejection shows a lack of maturity

China rubbed salt into wounds when Filipino President Beningno Aquino was told not to attend the China-Asean Expo scheduled for today in the southern Chinese city of Naning. The trade exhibition, which many Asean leaders including Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will attend, is another stepping stone in the development of the economic strategic partnership between China and Southeast Asia.

The Philippines’ foreign minister announced last Thursday that President Aquino would not travel to the expo because Beijing told him not to come. Invitations to the trade fair were extended to many high-level delegations, and Aquino initially said he would go, even though the two countries are not on good terms due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Manila announced the cancellation as the foreign ministers of Asean were in Beijing for a meeting to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the so-called “strategic partnership”. 

Such a “partnership”, in the sense of international relations, is more meaningful than normal relations. It means both sides can gain mutual benefits and forge even closer ties. The foreign ministers’ special meeting gave impetus to the relationship between Asean and China, pointing to further cooperation and greater economic integration in the future. China and Asean have many joint projects under proposal, which should bode well for regional development, peace, stability and prosperity.

The Chinese foreign ministry explained to the media that Beijing did not extend an invitation to the Philippines but requested that the Filipino leader visit China at a “better” time. 

China and the Philippines have been at loggerheads for a long time over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The situation has deteriorated in recent months. Last year China seized the atoll off the northwest coast of the Philippines, and this year demanded that the Philippine navy withdraw from Second Thomas Shoal farther south.

The Philippines has incensed China by seeking United Nations arbitration to resolve the dispute. Manila has also begun negotiations with the United States on a larger American military presence in the country.

Beijing is angry over the Philippines’ moves to bring it to UN arbitration, and wants Manila to pay the price, a diplomatic source said. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the Philippine move was a “selfish” action that could jeopardise the effort by China and Asean to secure peace and stability in the troubled sea.

However, Beijing’s move to insult the Philippines by telling President Aquino to stay away from the China-Asean trade fair will not only further damage relations between China and the Philippines but also undermine the importance of Asean. China, as a regional powerhouse, should show more diplomatic maturity. 

This action reflects the negative attitude Beijing has towards Manila, and that can only bring more ill will on the part of each country. Territorial conflicts are not new. They happen in every corner of the world. A number of other Asean members also have such disputes with China. However, as long as there remain no solutions to the problems, each country should at least endeavour not to fan the flames and deepen the dispute.