China won't give up its territorial claim in the West Philippine Seas

Manila, Philippines – Two former Chinese envoys to Manila said it would be hard for China to just give up its claims over the disputed islands in the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea), thus, it could be sometime before a solution on the territorial conflict is reached.
“The Chinese will not agree, no leaders will agree to do that,” said Wang Yingfan, who, together with Wang Chungui, met with the local press in a roundtable discussion Wednesday night at a hotel in Manila.
A former vice minister of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yingfan served as ambassador to Manila from 1985 to 1990. He was also appointed as Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations from 2000 to 2003 and Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress from 2003 to 2008.
Wang Chungui was the Chinese envoy to the Philippines from 2000 to 2004. His 30-year diplomatic career has been concentrated on Asia.
The visit of the Chinese diplomats signals the start of what has been designated by the leaders of the two countries as “Years of Friendly Exchanges between China and the Philippines” from 2012 to 2013.
According to Wang Yingfan, between China, the Philippines, and other claimant countries, it could be sometime before a solution on the West Philippines Sea is reached.
However, when that day will come, he is not that optimistic the sovereignty issue would be resolved.
By:
(Roy C. Mabasa)