PH, China seek deescalation of tensions in South China Sea

The Philippines and China on Thursday sought to deescalate tensions in the South China Sea as both sides agreed to improve an existing maritime communication mechanism to prevent incidents and any miscalculations in the disputed waters.

During talks held in Shanghai for a regular bilateral consultation meeting, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong "had frank and productive discussions to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and both sides agreed to calmly deal with incidents, if any, through diplomacy," a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) statement said.

"They also agreed that continuous dialogue is important to keep peace and stability at sea."

Both sides, the DFA added, agreed to initiate talks on possible academic exchanges on marine scientific research between Filipino and Chinese scientists. No details were provided on how and where it will be conducted.

The meeting was deemed crucial following a series of incidents, including dangerous maneuvers by Chinese vessels and collisions, during routine resupply missions by the Philippines to its outpost in Ayungin Shoal, also known by its international name Second Thomas Shoal.

World War II-era vessel BRP Sierra Madre has been grounded at the shoal since 1999.
The Philippines maintains a small navy team there to guard the territory, which is 105.77 nautical miles from the nearest Philippine province of Palawan and constitutes part of the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as provided under a United Nations convention.

The Philippines decided in 1999 to deploy a permanent station on Ayungin Shoal in response to China's illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef, also known as Mischief Reef, a Philippine territory, in 1995.

The incidents over the recent months wherein the Chinese Coast Guard has used lasers and water cannons against Philippine resupply vessels and collision incidents have raised concerns from several countries, with Manila calling the escalation of tensions "alarming."

According to the DFA, both sides during the Shanghai meeting presented their respective positions on the Ayungin Shoal and "assured each other of their mutual commitment to avoid escalation of tensions."

The United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines, has repeatedly condemned China's disruption of Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin and for "putting the lives of Filipino service members at risk."

Washington said that it stands by its 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty commitments with the Philippines if Filipinos come under an armed attack in the disputed waters.

The MDT, a 1951 defense pact signed between Manila and Washington, binds the two allies to come to each other's aid from aggression and help defend the other party.

Although not a party to the disputes, the US maintained that keeping the South China Sea—a major trade route—open and accessible is within its national interest.

China, which considers the sea disputes a purely Asian issue, is opposed to any foreign intervention, particularly from the US.

Four days before the meeting in Shanghai, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. posted a statement on X, congratulating Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te "on his election as Taiwan's next President"—a move which angered China and prompted Beijing to summon Manila's top diplomat the following day.

Marcos' statement caused internal confusion at the DFA, according to top government sources, with one senior official, calling it a "major blunder."

China accused Marcos of violating the One China Policy, but the DFA clarified hours after Marcos' post that the President's congratulatory message "was his way of thanking them for hosting our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and holding a successful democratic process."

"Nevertheless, the Philippines reaffirms its One China Policy," the DFA said.

In deference to this policy, Manila does not have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a democratic self-ruling island which has been separated from the Chinese mainland since 1949.

The Philippines, however, maintains a de-facto embassy in Taiwan, called the Manila Economic and Cultural Office or MECO.

Taiwan hosts around 200,000 Filipinos, mostly working in factories.

A vital trading and shipping lane, the South China Sea, dotted with rocks, shoals and reefs where rich oil and mineral deposits were found, is claimed in part or in whole by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. Parts of the waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone have been renamed West Philippine Sea.

China's vast territorial claims in the waters have sparked tensions and violent confrontations with smaller claimants, like the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Philippines largely won a landmark case against China's massive claim in the South China Sea before an arbitral tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, but Beijing refused to participate in the arbitration process and recognize the ruling. — VDV, GMA Integrated News