Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines and China have agreed to continue managing differences through dialogue during bilateral consultations in Manila on June 30, as both sides sought to stabilize relations ahead of major regional meetings and days before the 10th anniversary of the landmark South China Sea arbitral ruling.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez met with Chinese Foreign Ministry Director-General for Asian Affairs Liu Jinsong. Liu later paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for policy Leo Herrera-Lim.
The meeting built on discussions held in Quanzhou, China, in March under the Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations and the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the two sides discussed “pressing issues of bilateral importance” and exchanged their respective positions “in an open and frank manner.”
“They reaffirmed the value of continued dialogue, open channels of communication, and the peaceful management of differences through diplomacy, while pursuing practical and non-sensitive areas of cooperation that are mutually beneficial,” the DFA said.
The officials also discussed preparations for upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)- and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation-related meetings this year and reiterated their commitment to “advance a stable Philippines-China bilateral relationship” while contributing to “a peaceful regional environment.”
In a separate statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Liu welcomed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening dialogue and improving bilateral ties but urged Manila “to honor its commitments and match words with deeds, create enabling conditions for improving China-Philippines relations, and stay on the right track of regional cooperation.”
Liu also “lodged serious concerns over a string of negative moves on the Philippine side in its relations with China,” according to the Chinese readout.
The Chinese foreign ministry said the Philippine side emphasized the importance it attaches to relations with China and reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders.
“The Philippine side values the dialogue process and seeks to further improve bilateral relations,” the Chinese statement said.
Beijing also said the Philippine delegation reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy “as reflected in the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the Philippines.”
According to the Chinese readout, the Philippines also expressed its readiness to “manage differences with China in a constructive manner, avoid unintended incidents,fulfill its responsibilities as ASEAN chair “with prudence and a sense of responsibility,” and “refrain from bringing bilateral disputes into ASEAN meetings.”
The DFA statement did not mention the One China policy or the ASEAN-related remarks attributed to the Philippine side in the Chinese account of the meeting.
The June 30 consultations took place less than two weeks before the July 12 anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea. China continues to reject the ruling, while the Philippines maintains it is final and legally binding under international law.
