Philippines eyes China talks after violent sea clash
MANILA: The Philippines is eyeing talks with China to discuss a violent clash last week between their sailors in the South China Sea, foreign secretary Enrique Manalo said Tuesday.Chinese coast guard personnel wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a June 17 Filipino navy attempt to resupply marines stationed on a derelict warship that sits atop Second Thomas Shoal.It was the latest and most serious incident in a series of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to nearly all of the strategically located waterway.Manila hopes to convene the Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in early July "specifically to discuss the recent incidents," Manalo told a Philippine senate public hearing on the confrontation.