Beijing, Manila agree to continue talks on West Philippine Sea | INQToday

INQUIRER.net

11 Sept 202402:06

Summary

TLDRTop diplomats from the Philippines and China have agreed to continue discussions on cooperation in the disputed West Philippine Sea. Under Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Shen Xiadong had a candid exchange, with the Philippines asserting its position on Escot lying within its exclusive economic zone and seeking to reduce tensions. China reiterated its claim to sovereignty and demanded the withdrawal of Philippine vessels. Despite differences, both nations agreed to pursue talks on hotline mechanisms, coast guard cooperation, and marine scientific collaboration. This follows a series of incidents, including a Chinese vessel collision with a Philippine ship, and ongoing concerns over Chinese militia presence and potential reclamation activities.

Takeaways

🤝 The Philippines and China have agreed to continue discussions on cooperation concerning the West Philippine Sea.
🗣️ Top Foreign Affairs officials from both nations exchanged views on recent developments in the disputed waters.
🗓️ The discussions took place on September 12, with the Philippine Under Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Shen Xiadong engaging in a candid exchange.
📍 The Philippines emphasized that Escot lies within its exclusive economic zone and sought ways to lower tensions.
🚫 China reiterated its demand for the immediate withdrawal of Philippine vessels in the area, asserting its supposed sovereignty.
🔄 Despite disagreements, both countries agreed to continue talks on disputed waters, including hotline mechanisms and coast guard cooperation.
🌐 The bilateral consultation mechanism was held in Beijing on September 11, focusing on managing the situation at Escot.
🚢 The Philippine Coast Guard has recorded incidents of harassment by Chinese vessels near Escot, highlighting tensions in the area.
🏝️ Escot has become a new flash point in the maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing.
⚖️ A 2016 arbitral ruling invalidated China's claims over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

Q & A

What was the main topic of discussion between the Philippines and China on September 12?
-The main topic of discussion was the continuation of dialogue on areas of cooperation concerning the West Philippine Sea, including managing the situation in the disputed waters.
Who were the representatives from the Philippines and China in the discussion?
-The representatives were Under Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro from the Philippines and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Shen Xiadong.
What was the nature of the exchange between the two officials?
-The exchange was described as frank and candid, focusing on managing the situation in the West Philippine Sea.
What is the Philippines' stance on Escot, according to the DFA?
-The Philippines emphasized that Escot lies within its exclusive economic zone and explored ways to lower tensions in the area.
What was China's response to the Philippines' position on Escot?
-China reiterated its supposed sovereignty over the area and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Philippine vessels.
What were the agreed-upon points for future discussions between the Philippines and China?
-Both countries agreed to continue talks on disputed waters, focusing on hotline mechanisms, coast guard cooperation, and marine scientific and technological cooperation.
When was the bilateral consultation mechanism held, and where did it take place?
-The bilateral consultation mechanism was held on September 11 in Beijing.
What has been the recent development at Escot that has raised tensions?
-The Philippine Coast Guard has recorded five incidents of harassment by Chinese vessels in a month, including a collision with a Chinese Coast Guard vessel on August 31.
How does China claim its rights over the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea?
-China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, despite an arbitral ruling in 2016 that invalidated these claims.
What is the significance of the bilateral consultation mechanism in managing the maritime row?
-The bilateral consultation mechanism is significant as it provides a platform for both countries to discuss and manage the situation at Escot and other disputed areas, aiming to reduce tensions and find cooperative solutions.
What is the current status of the Chinese militia presence and reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea?
-The continued presence of Chinese militia and suspected reclamation activities are points of contention and are part of the discussions in the bilateral consultation mechanism.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 Philippines-China Talks on West Philippine Sea

Top foreign affairs officials from the Philippines and China have agreed to continue discussions on cooperation concerning the West Philippine Sea. On September 12, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that Under Secretary Maria Teresa Lazaro had a candid exchange with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Shen Xiadong on managing the situation in the disputed waters, including Escot. The Philippines emphasized Escot's location within its exclusive economic zone and sought ways to reduce tensions. China, however, insisted on its supposed sovereignty and demanded the withdrawal of Philippine vessels. Despite disagreements, both nations consented to further talks on the hotline mechanisms, coast guard cooperation, and marine scientific and technological cooperation. This dialogue occurred during the bilateral consultation mechanism in Beijing on September 11. The DFA noted that the previous consultation in July led to a common understanding on managing the situation at Escot, which has become a new flash point due to incidents of harassment by Chinese vessels and the presence of Chinese militia in the area. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating these claims.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡West Philippine Sea

The West Philippine Sea is a body of water in the western Pacific Ocean that is the subject of territorial disputes between the Philippines and China. In the video script, it is mentioned as an area of discussion between the two nations, highlighting its significance in the context of maritime disputes and regional tensions.

💡Cooperation

Cooperation refers to the act of working together to achieve a common goal. In the script, the Philippines and China are said to have agreed to continue discussions on cooperation concerning the West Philippine Sea, indicating a diplomatic approach to resolving their differences.

💡Disputed Waters

Disputed Waters are areas of the ocean where the ownership is contested by two or more countries. The term is used in the script to describe the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing the ongoing territorial conflict between the Philippines and China.

💡Escot

Escot is a shoal within the West Philippine Sea that is claimed by the Philippines as part of its exclusive economic zone. The script mentions that the Philippines emphasized its position on Escot, showing it as a specific point of contention between the two nations.

💡Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

An Exclusive Economic Zone is a sea zone prescribed by international law, in which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources. The script states that the Philippines emphasized Escot lies within its EEZ, indicating a legal basis for their claim.

💡Tensions

Tensions refer to a state of strained relations or potential conflict. The script mentions that the Philippines explored ways to lower tensions in the area, suggesting ongoing efforts to manage and reduce the risk of escalation in the disputed waters.

💡Hotline Mechanisms

Hotline mechanisms are communication channels established to facilitate quick and direct contact between parties in times of crisis. The script notes that the Philippines and China agreed to continue talks on hotline mechanisms, indicating a measure to enhance communication and prevent misunderstandings.

💡Maritime Scientific and Technological Cooperation

This refers to collaborative efforts between nations in the field of marine science and technology. The script mentions that the two countries agreed to continue talks on this form of cooperation, suggesting a potential avenue for joint efforts and mutual benefit despite territorial disputes.

💡Sovereignty

Sovereignty is the full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without any interference from outside sources. China's statement in the script about upholding its supposed sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea reflects its stance on the territorial issue.

💡Harassment

Harassment in this context refers to aggressive or hostile actions aimed at intimidating or annoying others. The script mentions incidents of harassment by Chinese vessels, illustrating the tense nature of interactions in the disputed waters.

💡Arbitral Ruling

An arbitral ruling is a decision made by an arbitration tribunal, often used to resolve disputes. The script refers to a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's claims over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, providing a legal context to the ongoing territorial dispute.

Highlights

The Philippines and China agreed to continue discussions on cooperation concerning the West Philippine Sea.

Top Foreign Affairs officials from both nations exchanged views on recent developments in the disputed waters.

The Philippines emphasized its consistent position that Escot lies within its exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines explored ways to lower tensions in the area.

China firmly upheld its supposed sovereignty and demanded the withdrawal of Philippine vessels in the area.

Both nations agreed to continue talks on disputed waters, including hotline mechanisms, coast guard cooperation, and marine scientific and technological cooperation.

The exchange took place during the bilateral consultation mechanism held in Beijing on September 11.

The last bilateral consultation mechanism in July led to a common understanding on managing the situation at Escot.

Escot has become a new flash point in the maritime row between Manila and Beijing.

The Philippine Coast Guard recorded five incidents of harassment by Chinese vessels in just a month.

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel rammed and collided with a BRP Teresa Magbanua on August 31.

The continued presence of Chinese militia and suspected reclamation activities in the area are points of contention.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

The 2016 arbitral ruling invalidated China's claims over the South China Sea.

The discussions aim to manage the situation in the West Philippine Sea and explore cooperation opportunities.

The bilateral consultation mechanism is a platform for both countries to address their differences and find common ground.