9-9-2024 (BEIJING) China has called upon the Philippines to carefully reassess the future of their bilateral relationship. This appeal comes amidst escalating tensions between the two nations over territorial claims in the contested waters.
The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party, published a commentary on 9 September, highlighting the critical juncture at which Sino-Philippine relations currently stand. The piece, penned under the pseudonym “Zhong Sheng” (Voice of China), typically used for expressing the paper’s stance on foreign policy matters, emphasised the need for dialogue and consultation over confrontation.
“China-Philippines relations stand at a crossroads, facing a choice of which way to go,” the commentary stated, urging Manila to “seriously consider the future of China-Philippines relations and work with China to push bilateral relations back on track.”
This call for reconsideration comes in the wake of recent maritime incidents that have strained relations between the two countries. Both nations have accused each other of intentionally ramming coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, with a particularly violent clash in June resulting in a Filipino sailor losing a finger.
These confrontations have cast a shadow over efforts by both countries to rebuild trust and improve the management of disputes, including the establishment of new communication channels for handling maritime issues.
The South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which an estimated $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, has long been a source of contention. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire sea, conflicting with claims by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The area is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as valuable fish stocks.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s sweeping claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing continues to reject.
The commentary also addressed the recent controversy surrounding the resupply of Philippine troops stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal. China criticised the Philippines for what it termed a “so-called ‘humanitarian’ problem,” referring to Filipino sailors aboard what Beijing considers “an illegally stranded ship” at nearby Sabina Shoal. The Chinese statement asserted that “the people aboard are absolutely allowed to leave,” seemingly dismissing Manila’s concerns about the troops’ access to supplies.
