The Chinese embassy in Manila is worried that the controversy over the so-called “Spratlys deal” and other scandals involving China-funded projects could end up harming Philippines-China ties.

In a statement sent Thursday by embassy spokesman Peng Xiubin, China also said the “Spratlys deal”, or the 2005 JMSU among the Philippines, China, and Vietnam, helps keep the peace in the disputed territory in the South China Sea and in the region.

“The China-Philippines-Vietnam tripartite cooperation in the South China Sea complies with the principles of the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and is conducive to maintenance of peace and stability in South China Sea and the Region at large,” Peng said.

The embassy said “China stands for peaceful resolution of disputes over South China Sea through friendly consultation.”

“In order to maintain stability in the South China Sea and to promote mutually-beneficial cooperation, China has put forward the proposition of ‘shelving disputes and going in for joint development', which serves the common interest of all sides concerned,” Peng said.

In addition to the JMSU controversy, the embassy also expressed concern over the scandals involving Chinese-funded projects such as the canceled National Broadband Network (NBN) project with Chinese firm, ZTE Corp..

“China is worried about some recently-emerged tendencies in the Philippines, which may impose negative influence on China-Philippine friendly relations and mutually-beneficial cooperation,”  Peng said. 

“We hope to make joint efforts with the Philippines to properly handle the problems related to our bilateral cooperation, so as to maintain healthy development of China-Philippine relations and to safeguard peace and stability in South China Sea and the region at large,” he said.

Peng noted that the Philippines-China relations have expanded in recent years.

He said the “increasingly expanded mutually-beneficial cooperation in various fields between the two countries has brought about tangible benefits to the two peoples.”

Peng said the China's policy is to “develop strategic partnership” with ASEAN countries, of which the Philippines is an “important” member.