Hanoi (VNA) – Former Foreign Minister of the PhilippinesAlbert del Rosario has called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to “pursue thewise path of moderation, reason and fairness” in the resolution of disputes in theEast Sea.

“It is imperative that China play its proper role inadhering to the rule of law to preserve stability, security and peace in theworld so that we may all continue to pursue our aspirations for development andprogress," said Del Rosario in an open letter to Xi on November 20, hoursbefore the Chinese leader arrives in Manila for a two-day state visit.

The former FM added that by doing so, China would haveopportunity to stand as a champion of principle, fairness and inclusiveness indisputes and disagreements in the world.

He noted that it is more crucial now than ever thatall members of the global community strive together to preserve a rules-basedinternational order, saying he hopes that Beijing will pursue the wise path ofmoderation, reason and fairness with China taking into full account thelegitimate national interest of its neighbours.

Xi’s visit to the Philippines is the first of aChinese leader to the Southeast Asian country in 13 years. It is seen as amilestone in the two nations’ relations, which were recovered after FilipinoPresident Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016.

The bilateral ties plunged to its lowest when thePhilippines sought arbitration to nullify China’s massive claim over mostof the East Sea in 2013.

In December 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in theHague, the Netherlands invalidated the claim, ruling it is contrary to the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and China does nothave historic rights over waters in the East Sea and any legal basis toannounce statements on historic rights over natural resources within theso-called nine-dash line.

However, China has ignored and belittled the ruling, saying the countrywould neither participate in nor accept it. –VNA