The Philippines and China agreed on the 17th to manage the conflict over sovereignty in the South China Sea (Philippine name: West Philippine Sea) through dialogue and communication.
The two countries made this announcement in separate statements following the 8th ‘China-Philippines Bilateral Conference on South China Sea Issues’ co-chaired by Philippine Vice Foreign Minister Teresa Lazaro and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong in Shanghai, China.
The Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that if an issue in the South China Sea arises between the two countries, they “agreed to deal calmly through diplomacy.”
At the same time, the council presented its position on the ‘Second Thomas’ Reef (Philippine name: Ayung Yin, Chinese name: Ren’ai Jiao) in the South China Sea and pledged to each other mutual promises to avoid escalating tensions.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said in a statement that both sides reaffirmed that the dispute in the South China Sea “is not the be-all and end-all of the relationship between the two countries,” and that officials from both countries believe “maintaining communication and dialogue is essential to maintaining maritime peace and stability.”
The two sides also agreed to advance practical maritime cooperation to create favorable conditions for mutual sound and stable development, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
China and the Philippines have recently had major and small conflicts near Second Thomas Reef and Scarborough Reef (Chinese name: Huangyan Island). (Reference: VOA News)