Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 17) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to discuss measures to prevent the escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
\”We (with President Xi) will put all of these together so as we’ll be able to strategize for the near future on what the Philippines’ role will be or what is the proper Philippines’ role in the West Philippine Sea,\” Marcos said in a Facebook video posted Friday (Philippine time).
The president made the statement after sharing details of his meeting with United States Vice President Kamala Harris on the sidelines of the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco, California.
Marcos said Harris asked about the Philippines’ latest assessment on the situation in the disputed waters.
\”We tried to discuss some of the ways forward and I think that generally speaking, especially after my meeting with President Xi, which I’m going to have some time today. After that, we will put together the ways forward,\” he added.
Marcos and Harris also reaffirmed the strength of US-Philippine ties and reiterated their commitment to uphold international rules, including in the South China Sea.
Philippine authorities have said China has been increasing its aggression in the WPS.
Last week, Manila filed another diplomatic protest after the China Coast Guard used a water cannon on a Philippine vessel conducting a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday urged China to remove all its illegal structures and stop reclamation activities in the South China Sea.
