Chinese envoy pays courtesy visit on PCG chief Abu

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu in Port Area, Manila.

In a statement, the PCG said Xilian went to its national headquarters and expressed his expectation for fruitful discussions and developments of future collaboration with the coast guard.

“I sincerely hope that the PCG and CCG would further strengthen cooperation to promote peace and stability in the region,” the Chinese ambassador said.

Abu said the visit aims to review “friendly exchanges and cooperation” between the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the PCG.

“We look forward to exchange views on possible capacity building activities between the CCG and PCG to strengthen rapport and confidence among the PCG and the China CCG to promote peace and stability in the region,” Abu said.

The Philippines and China are locked in a maritime dispute over parts of the vast South China Sea that Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.

On May 30, the Philippines protested China's unilateral fishing ban in the South China Sea as it covers waters in areas where, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippines exercises "sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”

China’s fishing moratorium is in effect from May 1 to August 16 "in areas of the South China Sea north of the 12 degrees North latitude." —KBK, GMA News