PH, China agree to reduce tension in South China

dfa

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and China affirmed their commitment to "de-escalate" tensions in the region without prejudice to their respective positions, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a statement, the DFA said the Philippines and China convened the 9th Meeting of their Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) in Manila on July 2.

The DFA said Manila and Beijing raised the need "to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction" amid recent incidents in the South China Sea.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations conducted an inquiry on the reported harassment on June 17 by the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) against a Philippine resupply mission to the beached BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

CCG personnel -- some reportedly brandished bladed weapons -- rammed Philippine boats on a regular rotation and resupply mission to the rusting BRP Sierra Madre. The CCG harassment resulted in the injury of some Philippine Navy personnel.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong had "frank and constructive discussions" on the situation in the South China Sea, the DFA said.

Lazaro stressed to Xiaodong that the Philippines would "be relentless" in protecting its interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea, the DFA said.

The two sides discussed their respective positions on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

"There was substantial progress on developing measures to manage the situation at sea, but significant differences remain," the DFA said.

"Both sides agreed to continue discussions to find a mutually-acceptable resolution to the issues," the DFA said.

Lazaro and Xiaodong also signed the Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms as they recognized the need to strengthen the bilateral maritime communication mechanism on the South China Sea.

They agreed to discuss further how to operationalize this mechanism, the Foreign Affairs department said. The DFA has yet to provide details about these measures.