Philippines, China agree to manage maritime tensions as diplomatic reset gathers pace
MANILA — The Philippines and China have agreed to maintain diplomatic dialogue, exercise restraint and manage their differences peacefully following a high-level telephone conversation between their foreign ministers, offering a possible opening to ease tensions over the South China Sea. Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the conversation on…
The Philippines and China have agreed to maintain diplomatic dialogue and manage their differences peacefully, following a high-level telephone conversation between their foreign ministers. Both governments issued statements outlining their respective positions, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro describing the exchange as "frank, pragmatic and constructive."
The ministers agreed on three principles: maintaining diplomatic dialogue, avoiding actions and rhetoric that could undermine bilateral relations, and resolving disputes peacefully. However, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi also warned Manila to exercise caution in its words and actions on maritime issues, accusing certain Philippine politicians of interfering in bilateral relations.
The diplomatic engagement comes ahead of major regional summits and follows weeks of heightened tensions, including controversial remarks by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan suggesting China could easily win a conflict with the Philippines.
Brief written by urgent.news from Gulf News's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
