China urges PH to return to dialogue over sea row

This frame grab from handout video taken on June 17, 2024 and released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office on June 19 shows China coast guard personnel appearing to wield bladed weapons during an incident off Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippine military said on June 19 the Chinese coast guard rammed and boarded Filipino navy boats in a violent confrontation in the South China Sea this week in which a Filipino sailor lost a thumb. China defended its actions, with its foreign ministry saying on Wednesday that "no direct measures" were taken against Filipino personnel. Handout / ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES-PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE / AFP

MANILA, Philippines — China urged the Philippines to "return to the right track of dialogue and consultation" in managing disputes.

China issued the statement, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), a day after it warned the Philippines against "making provocations and infringing on China's sovereignty or bear the consequences."

It also comes amid the recent clash at Ayungin Shoal where Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) attacked a Philippine Navy ship that was carrying supplies to Filipino soldiers on board a grounded military ship in the area.

Foreign Minister Lin Jian said China has repeatedly pointed out that the Philippines had been supplying construction materials, weapons, and ammunition to be used to repair and reinforce the boat on a large scale to occupy the area permanently.

Lin Jian said China viewed these actions as "a severe violation of its sovereignty and asserts that it would respond firmly according to laws and regulations."

Lin Jian said that the current situation at Ren'ai Jiao (Ayungin Shoal) was the result of the Philippines' failure to fulfill its commitments. Despite the vessel being illegally grounded for 25 years, the Philippines has continued to send construction materials to reinforce it, leading to the present state of affairs.

He said this warship stood as solid evidence of the Philippines' "persistent provocations and infringement against China in the South China Sea over the decades, its bad faith, and its breach of the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and its damage to the eco-environment in the South China Sea." Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told Palace reporters that what happened at Ayungin where several soldiers were injured was not an armed attack but a "misunderstanding or accident." He hinted that a dialogue between Manila and Beijing would occur in the coming days.

Bersamin said the government was not considering taking the matter to a higher international body, saying it could be resolved soon.

"That's not yet considered because we can easily resolve this matter very soon, and if China wants to work with us, we can. We'll work with China," he said.