Philippines and China are willing to address maritime issues peacefully

Maritime disputes between the Philippines and China continue to be a “serious concern,” according to a Philippine official who spoke on Friday.

During high-level talks, both nations vowed to utilize diplomacy and dialogue to address these issues peacefully.

This week, the Philippines hosted the first in-person meeting between diplomats from both countries since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, amidst rising tensions over what Manila refers to as China’s “aggressive activities” in the South China Sea.

Philippine foreign ministry undersecretary Theresa Lazaro emphasized during the opening of bilateral talks on the South China Sea that both nations’ leaders agree to address maritime issues through diplomacy and dialogue, rather than coercion and intimidation.

These discussions come two months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s state visit to China, where President Xi Jinping expressed his readiness to handle maritime issues “cordially” with Manila.

Read More Breaking News