2-7-2024 (MANILA) The Philippine government announced on Tuesday that the Philippines and China have reached an agreement to “ease” tensions in the South China Sea. This comes after the two countries had experienced violent clashes in the disputed waters.
In a statement issued after a meeting of vice foreign ministers in Manila, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said that “both sides discussed their respective positions on the Ayungin Shoal (known as Ren’ai Reef in China) issue and reaffirmed their commitment to ease tensions without prejudice to their respective positions.”
The two sides held a bilateral consultation mechanism meeting on the South China Sea issue on Tuesday, making substantial progress in formulating plans to manage the maritime situation, but significant differences remain.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs stated that the 9th meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea was held in Manila on Tuesday. Vice Minister Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong engaged in “candid and constructive” dialogue, making substantial progress in devising plans to manage the maritime situation, but major disagreements still exist.
Both sides agreed to continue discussions to find mutually acceptable solutions, restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions to facilitate productive exchanges and dialogues. The Philippine side also conveyed to China that it would persistently safeguard the country’s interests, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.
China and the Philippines have had ongoing frictions in the South China Sea, including a collision last month near the Ren’ai Reef. The Philippine Navy spokesperson accused China’s Coast Guard of taking the most provocative actions in recent years. China’s Foreign Ministry also criticised the incident as an infringement and provocation by the Philippine side.
