Manila stands firm on Escoda

(UPDATES) THE Philippines insisted that the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal is within its exclusive economic zone and would continue to explore ways to lower tension in the region, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro reiterated this during the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) meeting between the Philippines and China held in Beijing on September 11.

The last BCM, which led to a common «Understanding on the Management of the Situation on the Ayungin Shoal,» between the two countries was held in Manila in July 2024.

PH Undersecretary Lazaro and CN Vice Foreign Minister Chen meet in Beijing on 11 September for the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism. Photo courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affair

Lazaro said she «had a frank and candid exchange of views with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong on managing the situation in the West Philippine Sea, including in Escoda Shoal,» the DFA said.

«Undersecretary Lazaro reaffirmed the consistent position of the Philippines and explored ways to lower the tension in the area,» the DFA said in a statement.

Both sides agreed to continue discussions on areas of cooperation, especially on hotline mechanisms, coast guard cooperation, and marine scientific and technological cooperation, the DFA said.

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In a separate statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on maritime issues, especially the issue of Xianbin Jiao (Sabina Shoal).

The ministry said that the Chinese side reiterated its «principled position and urged the Philippine side to immediately withdraw relevant vessels from Xianbin Jiao.»

The message was less pacific at a defense forum in Beijing, where a senior military official said China would crush any foreign incursion into its sovereign territory.

Washington and Beijing have verbally sparred over China's increasingly assertive approach in disputed maritime regions, including the South China Sea.

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In recent months, Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in the waters, which Beijing claims almost in their entirety