China claims almost the entire South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. "The idea is to use the South China Sea as a place to save lives, but not to kill people or to destroy lives," he added. Ramos was Philippines president from 1992 to 1998, when China occupied the submerged Mischief Reef. China's 2012 seizure of the Scarborough Shoal, denying Philippine fishermen access, was among the factors that prompted Manila to seek arbitration. "I've always been a very optimistic person, always looking for the best results," Ramos told reporters in Hong Kong.

Source: dna August 09, 2016 06:45 UTC