China Dialogue on Spratlys

China is pushing Dialogue on the South China Sea as well as greater cooperation in its disputed areas.

Ambassador Liu Jianchao made a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, His country filing a protest on against Presedent Arroyo's signing into law of Republic Act 9522 or the Philippine Baseline Act.

RA 9522 excludes Scarborough Shoal and the Kalayaan group of islands from the country's teritory but classified as a "regime of Islands" under the Republic of the Philippines.

Under the UN convention on the Law of the Seas, archipelago nations like the Philippines must have definitive baseline laws by May 13.

Liu said His country is always ready to enhance trade relations with the Philippines, particularly in mining and infastructure. Liu added that China also wants more cultural and educational exchanges.

In 2010, China and Philippines will celebrate 35 years of bilateral relations.

Liu thanked the Philippines for hosting the visit of 100 school children from the earthquake ravage Sichuan province. The children and their families deeply appreciated the warmth display by their Filipino hosts.

In protest of the Baseline Act, Chinese Embassy said the inclusion of the disputed Kalayaan Islands and the Scarboruogh Shoal in the Philppine territory is "illegal" and "invalid."

Under the baseline Act the Philippine territory become smaller than the original Philippine territory.

The Philippine government lawmakers continue to defend the Baseline Bill amid China's protest.