5-1-2024 (MANILA) The Philippines has expressed openness to diplomatic discussions with China, emphasizing the potential for resolving South China Sea disputes through peaceful dialogue, according to a statement by national security adviser Eduardo Ano. This follows criticism from a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson who labeled recent joint patrols by the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea as “provocative” and “irresponsible.”
Ano defended the joint patrols with the United States, highlighting their commitment to a rules-based international order and regional peace and stability. The Philippine military reported that two Chinese navy vessels shadowed the joint patrols, involving four Philippine navy vessels and four ships from the US Indo-Pacific fleet, including the USS Carl Vinson.
The maritime exercises marked the second joint patrol in the South China Sea within two months, with tensions escalating over territorial claims. The Philippines remains open to diplomatic discussions with China and underscores its commitment to fostering positive relations with all nations, said Ano. He believes that through peaceful dialogue and adherence to international law, a resolution benefiting all parties involved in the region can be achieved.
China asserts almost complete control over the South China Sea, a vital route for over $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. The sovereignty claims by China intersect with territorial waters claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Despite the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, which declared China’s claims lacked legal basis, China continues to reject the decision.
