China proposes partnership with Philippine fishing villages –NSA Carlos

National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos said on Friday that the government was looking into China's proposed partnership with Philippine fishing villages.

“Pinaiigting natin ngayon ang people to people exchange. Nagpo-propose ang China na magkaroon ng partnership between fishing villages at tinitignan natin yan,” Carlos said in a televised public briefing.

(We are strengthening people-to-people exchanges. China is proposing a partnership between fishing villages, and we are looking into it.)

Carlos made the statement when asked about the recent visit of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The National Security Adviser said the discussions between the two leaders went well given that the critical dialogue on West Philippine Sea issues and concerns had continued.

She added that there were more levels of cooperation between the two countries, including between the Philippine and the Chinese Coast Guards.

“Talagang binabalangkas kung papaano tayo magkakaroon ng modus vivendi na hindi na magkakaroon ng bunguan dyan sa contested na South China Sea,” she said.

(We are drafting ways to have a modus vivendi to avoid further clashes in the contested areas of the South China Sea.)

The Philippines had filed multiple diplomatic protests over China's alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea. — DVM, GMA Integrated News