Analysts Monday welcomed Russia's call for unrelated countries not to interfere in the South China Sea row amid a simmering standoff between Chinese and Philippine fishing boats near Huangyan Island that has lasted over a month.
Russia opposes any meddling by countries not involved in the dispute, Nilolay Kudashev, the Russian ambassador to Manila, told the Manila Bulletin newspaper over the weekend, stressing that "this is our official position."
Kudashev said Russia is "mindful" of the fact that, like the US, it is not a party to the dispute, while emphasizing that Moscow is not "indifferent" to the heated situation.
The Russian diplomat suggested a peaceful solution negotiated by countries involved, adding that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea provides a solid basis for mediation.
Wang Lijiu, an expert of Russian studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times that Moscow's attitude reflects the continuity of newly-inaugurated President Vladimir Putin's diplomatic strategy, which values ties with China.
"It also demonstrates that Russia has its own judgment and principles in dealing with regional issues," Wang said, noting that the Kremlin's position is important in easing the lingering standoff as it urged countries such as the US to refrain from fueling tensions.
Ding Peihua, a vice director of the Center for Russian Studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said that aside from the South China Sea issue, Russia has taken a similar stance on the Arctic territorial issue by declaring regional disputes should be resolved exclusively by relevant parties.
The US government is turning over its second Hamilton class cutter to the Philippine government tomorrow, which is expected to bolster the Philippine Navy's capability, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
China's foreign ministry reiterated Monday that China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island, which should be respected by the Philippine side.
It said that China's approach toward solving the matter through diplomatic negotiation has not changed, and urged Manila to communicate clearly and consistently.