Palpable

CIVILIZATION is most apparent when people recognize that the world is ruled by principle and not by force. Today’s challenges give an opening to effective means of resolving crises and creating an avenue of working towards a common goal.
International relations are regulated by universally accepted and legal norms concerning people’s welfare, security, trade, finance, environment and communication. Throughout the course of governance, every country is employed to have an interaction with other governments, and every one of these is heavily underlined through those global connections.
This week marked a breakthrough in diplomacy. On Monday, Nov. 10, China opened its doors to foreign neighbors and friends for the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed notable leaders including American Pres. Barack Obama, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Philippine Pres. Benigno Aquino III.
The world recognizes the Asia Pacific region as a potential trendsetter for sustainable growth, trade and investment liberalization, and fostering innovation to address economic and demographic challenges. The leaders shared a common mission, which is to draw up a blueprint for the Asia-Pacific’s long-term development and decide the direction the region will head.
The prominent heads of state and business leaders from APEC member states and territories reached an important and extensive consensus—an agreement on economic integration, innovation and connectivity.  They have decided to make economic reform, new economy, innovative growth, inclusive support and urbanization as the five pillars of the robust agreement.
In conclusion, the APEC leaders vowed to work together for an all-win partnership that is based worldwide pursuit of peace, mutual trust and cooperation. After all these agreements and commitments, world leaders are expected to advocate these goals among themselves and their constituents.
And while diplomacy reigned supreme, there is no escaping the lingering disputes existing within APEC members. The convention also became an opportunity for APEC Summit to defuse tensions existing within its members.
For its part, the Philippines—entangled in a territorial dispute over the West Philippine (South China) Sea against China—took the sidelines to address the issue.
The Philippines and China, along with Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims to parts of the West Philippine (South China) sea. China claims the largest swathe of the strategic water, which is believed to have significant oil and gas deposits. Over the last two years, it has been increasingly assertive in pressing its claims over the disputed waters against its smaller neighbors.
Initially not part of his agenda, Pres. Aquino said that the Philippine government will continuously strive for a harmonious relationship with China. In a brief meeting with Chinese Pres. Xi, Aquino said that they both agreed to deal with the matter “in a constructive way,” a solution that would benefit both parties.
“It’s also in the Philippines’ interest to achieve harmony with all of its neighbors. There are so many practices that each country can benefit from as we face common challenges. We seek to have, again, harmonious relationships with everybody,” Aquino said.
It can never happen over night, but through a pragmatic approach, the adverse effects of international conflict be reduced. Only then will all parties can move on to achieve their common goal.
(AJPress)