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Duterte, Xi agree to address maritime tensions through 'peaceful, diplomatic' means: envoy

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Arianne Merez, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/tvpatrol/04/17/20190425-duterte.jpg"/><figcaption>President Rodrigo Duterte shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where the Filipino leader is on his fourth trip as President, April 25, 2019. Malacañang photo</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have agreed to deal with rising maritime tensions between the Philippines and China through &quot;peaceful, diplomatic&quot; means, Manila&#x27;s envoy to Beijing said Friday.This after Duterte raised Manila&#x27;s concerns over rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippines&#x27; exclusive economic zone in the disputed South China Sea, during his bilateral meeting with Xi on Thursday.The Philippine leader, according to Malacañang, specifically discussed the presence of Chinese vessels near Pag-asa Island.&quot;The basic consensus is although we proceed with some differences, these can be resolved through peaceful, diplomatic means. And the Chinese side expressed the willingness in the interest of friendship and cooperation to address some of the issues we have raised,&quot; Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/25/19/duterte-raises-ph-concerns-over-south-china-sea-incursions-with-chinas-xi">Duterte raises PH concerns over South China Sea incursions with China&#x27;s Xi</a></li></ul>He added that Xi assured Duterte during the meeting that they &quot;will stick to their policy of peaceful development.&quot;Duterte’s fourth trip to the Chinese capital comes on the heels of the rising number of Chinese vessels near islands in the West Philippine Sea and continued harassment reported by Filipino fishermen.Sightings of Chinese vessels have also been reported near Kota Island and Panata Island.Manila&#x27;s envoy also noted that there was a &quot;very active exchange&quot; between the 2 leaders during the meeting but no specific details were discussed as to how to address the situation on the ground.&quot;They speak from a strategic and general way but there was enough indication that the situation will be addressed,&quot; Sta. Romana said.&quot;The atmosphere was very friendly, very frank but constructive in terms of how to maintain a peaceful and stable situation.&quot;Following the bilateral meeting, Sta. Romana said the Philippines expects that there would be no threat to the security of Pag-asa Island and that fishing rights of Filipino fishermen will be safeguarded.The island, which is part of Palawan, hosts a Philippine military detachment and a small community.&quot;I think even now that the atmosphere has already improved with the talks with the Chinese. This is a way of easing the tension and as for the actual situation on the ground, we have to wait for the actual report from the people who are there,&quot; he said.&quot;We are monitoring the situation, but we certainly hope that the situation will normalize, will remain peaceful and stable, and that things can be worked out,&quot; he added.Duterte has sought closer ties with Asia&#x27;s largest economy even as Manila and Beijing have yet to settle its maritime dispute.China has refused to recognize the Philippines&#x27; landmark victory before a United Nations-backed tribunal, which invalidated Beijing&#x27;s sweeping claim over the South China Sea.<div>- with reports from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News</div>

President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have agreed to deal with rising maritime tensions between their countries through "peaceful, diplomatic" means, Manila's envoy to Beijing said Friday.

President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have agreed to deal with rising maritime tensions between their countries through "peaceful, diplomatic" means, Manila's envoy to Beijing said Friday.

Duterte, Xi agree to address maritime tensions through 'peaceful, diplomatic' means: envoy

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Duterte, Xi agree to address maritime tensions through 'peaceful, diplomatic' means: envoy

Arianne Merez,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 26, 2019 08:00 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

China

West Philippine Sea

South China Sea

Xi Jinping

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