PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte did not bring up a United Nations ruling favoring the Philippines in a sea dispute with China during a meeting with the Chinese premiere at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-China Summit in Bangkok on Sunday.

But the president told Chinese Premier Li Keqiang all countries must respect each other and follow the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in settling disputes, his spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said at a briefing livestreamed from Bangkok.

“We must respect international law,” Mr. Panelo said. “We cannot be forcing others to succumb to another country’s power. In other words, we should be treating each other equally and fairly.”

Mr. Panelo said the Chinese Premier agreed about the need for a rule-based approach to the sea dispute.

On Saturday, Mr. Duterte said Asean must tackle the South China Sea dispute to remain relevant because it continues to create regional uncertainty and instability.

“Asean must therefore remain united,” the communication office quoted him as saying in a speech at the summit. “We must lead the way in building trust and confidence among all stakeholders. And we must use all the influence that we have, individually and collectively, to persuade parties to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation.” — Gillian M. Cortez

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