Philippines, China execs meet to de-escalate conflict

BEIJING / MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and China have agreed to improve maritime communication and to properly manage conflicts and differences through friendly talks on issues around the South China Sea, their respective foreign ministries said.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong held a frank and in-depth exchange of views on the situation while co-chairing the eighth meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Shanghai on Wednesday, according to statements released by the two parties.

In the talks, the two sides reaffirmed that the South China Sea dispute is “not the whole story of bilateral relations,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement released late Wednesday.

The two countries have had numerous confrontations recently in certain disputed waters in the South China Sea, with both trading accusations of provoking conflict in the economically strategic waterway, including charges that China rammed a ship last month carrying the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. China said its operation was “professional, reasonable and legal.”

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The Philippines calls its side of the vast sea lane West Philippine Sea.

Both officials believe “maintaining communication and dialogue is essential to maintaining maritime peace and stability,” the Chinese foreign ministry said.

In the Jan. 17 statement released yesterday, the DFA said both sides “agreed to calmly deal with incidents, if any, through diplomacy.”

The two sides also voiced commitment to prevent tensions over the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal from escalating.

“Both sides presented their respective positions on the Ayungin Shoal and assured each other of their mutual commitment to avoid escalation of tensions,” the DFA said.

Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels have had heated and dangerous run-ins in that area, as China becomes more assertive in pressing its maritime claims.

Rela