12-9-2024 (BEIJING)Â China and the Philippines have held high-level discussions on contentious South China Sea issues, with a particular focus on the disputed Sabina Shoal, known in China as Xianbin Reef. The talks, described as “candid” by Chinese officials, mark an attempt to address escalating tensions in the region.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong met with his Philippine counterpart, Maria Theresa Lazaro, in Beijing on Wednesday. The Chinese Foreign Ministry reported that the dialogue facilitated “a candid and in-depth exchange of views on maritime issues” between the two nations.
The meeting comes in the wake of several recent clashes between Philippine and Chinese vessels near Sabina Shoal, where the Philippine Coast Guard has anchored a ship in an effort to prevent Chinese control of the reef complex. China has consistently demanded the “immediate withdrawal” of the Philippine vessel, asserting its determination to “firmly uphold its sovereignty” in the area.
Tensions have escalated this month following the release of footage by the Philippines, purportedly showing a Chinese coast guard vessel ramming a Philippine ship during a maritime confrontation. Beijing, however, maintains that it is merely defending its “rights” in the region.
The strategic importance of Sabina Shoal is underscored by its location, situated approximately 140 kilometres west of the Philippine island of Palawan and roughly 1,200 kilometres from China’s Hainan island. This proximity to Philippine territory, coupled with its distance from mainland China, has been a point of contention in the ongoing territorial dispute.
The South China Sea, a vital economic waterway, has been a longstanding source of regional friction, with Beijing claiming sovereignty over nearly the entire area despite competing claims from other nations.
The talks between China and the Philippines occurred against the backdrop of renewed US-China military communications. Earlier this week, US Indo-Pacific Command chief Samuel Paparo warned his Chinese counterpart, Wu Yanan, against Beijing’s “dangerous” actions in the South China Sea during a video conference. This exchange highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, with the United States maintaining strong ties with the Philippines as a key regional ally.
Despite the apparent frankness of the discussions, concrete resolutions remain elusive. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that both parties have agreed to “continue to maintain communication through diplomatic channels”, suggesting an ongoing process of negotiation rather than immediate solutions.
