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Friday, May 30, 2025
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Philippines Signals Openness to China Talks Amid South China Sea Tensions
Manila says it is willing to explore further agreements with Beijing to maintain peace, as regional tensions persist over maritime disputes
The Philippines has indicated its willingness to enter into additional agreements with China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to the country’s Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Speaking on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, Manalo stated that any arrangement promoting diplomatic or peaceful cooperation remains within the Philippines’ framework for managing the dispute.
The remarks follow a series of maritime confrontations between the Philippines and China, particularly over contested areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including sandbars, reefs, and the Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine troops are stationed aboard a grounded naval vessel.
China continues to assert sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, which overlaps with the EEZs of several Southeast Asian nations including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines.
Last year, Manila and Beijing agreed to a provisional arrangement concerning resupply missions to the Philippine military outpost on Second Thomas Shoal, following repeated incidents between Chinese and Philippine vessels.
China has denied any aggressive behavior and has accused the Philippines of intruding into its claimed waters, while also calling for dialogue to manage the disputes.
The South China Sea remains a vital global trade route, with approximately three trillion dollars' worth of ship-borne trade passing through annually.
Regional concern has mounted over the potential for miscalculation in the disputed waters, particularly given the 1951 mutual defense treaty between the Philippines and the United States, which obligates U.S. support in the event of an armed attack on Philippine forces, including in the South China Sea.
Foreign Secretary Manalo noted that the Philippines aims to accelerate talks for a code of conduct between ASEAN and China.
ASEAN and China agreed to draft such a code in 2002, but formal negotiations did not begin until 2017.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn recently stated that all parties remain committed to finalizing the code by next year.
The Philippines is scheduled to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.
In an address to ASEAN leaders, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated calls for the swift adoption of a legally binding code of conduct.
He emphasized the importance of safeguarding maritime rights, promoting regional stability, and preventing miscalculations at sea.
Speaking on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, Manalo stated that any arrangement promoting diplomatic or peaceful cooperation remains within the Philippines’ framework for managing the dispute.
The remarks follow a series of maritime confrontations between the Philippines and China, particularly over contested areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), including sandbars, reefs, and the Second Thomas Shoal, where Philippine troops are stationed aboard a grounded naval vessel.
China continues to assert sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, which overlaps with the EEZs of several Southeast Asian nations including Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines.
Last year, Manila and Beijing agreed to a provisional arrangement concerning resupply missions to the Philippine military outpost on Second Thomas Shoal, following repeated incidents between Chinese and Philippine vessels.
China has denied any aggressive behavior and has accused the Philippines of intruding into its claimed waters, while also calling for dialogue to manage the disputes.
The South China Sea remains a vital global trade route, with approximately three trillion dollars' worth of ship-borne trade passing through annually.
Regional concern has mounted over the potential for miscalculation in the disputed waters, particularly given the 1951 mutual defense treaty between the Philippines and the United States, which obligates U.S. support in the event of an armed attack on Philippine forces, including in the South China Sea.
Foreign Secretary Manalo noted that the Philippines aims to accelerate talks for a code of conduct between ASEAN and China.
ASEAN and China agreed to draft such a code in 2002, but formal negotiations did not begin until 2017.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn recently stated that all parties remain committed to finalizing the code by next year.
The Philippines is scheduled to assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.
In an address to ASEAN leaders, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated calls for the swift adoption of a legally binding code of conduct.
He emphasized the importance of safeguarding maritime rights, promoting regional stability, and preventing miscalculations at sea.
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