France offers to ease tension over sea row

France has expressed its willingness to help in reducing the tension in the South China Sea following the ruling handed down last week by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague favoring the Philippines over China. Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Bastille Day celebration over the weekend, French Ambassador to the Philippines Thierry Mathou said France can engage stakeholders, including China, in discussions and diplomacy, noting that “it’s in the interest of everyone to lessen the tension.” “We have a very good relation (with China). It’s a global relation like with the Philippines. When you are good friends, you don’t have to fear being straight. It’s the way we are with all our partners,” the French envoy said. While acknowledging the importance of discussion among the stakeholders, he pointed out that everybody has to abide by the law, including the Law of the Sea. “We would [...]