China: Ties with PH at ‘crossroads’ over South China Sea

The Philippines and China relations are at a "crossroads" amid the issue on the South China Sea (SCS), according to a commentary published in the Chinese government’s official newspaper on Tuesday.

“At present, China-Philippines relations are at a crossroads, facing a choice of where to go. There is no way out of conflict and confrontation, and dialogue and consultation are the right way,” the commentary on People’s Daily said.

“The Philippines should seriously consider the future path of China-Philippines relations, work with China in the same direction, and push bilateral relations back on track as soon as possible,” it added.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Department of Foreign Affairs on the matter but it has yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

Meanwhile, China said that the Philippines should fulfill its commitments and no longer change its orders in connection with the SCS.

China also called out the Philippines for allegedly using the name of humanitarianism to commit supposed  "risky infringements" that violate Beijing’s sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the SCS.

Tensions continue amid China’s massive claim in the South China Sea (SCS), including the portion the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea.

The SCS is a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Aside from the Philippines, China has overlapping claims in the area with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."

China has not recognized the decision.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News