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Philippines, China to boost communication lines on sea disputes

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Agence France-Presse

<p>MANILA - The Philippines and China have agreed to raise the number of communication channels that can be used to resolve maritime spats, a diplomatic source told AFP on Wednesday.</p><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3062992"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p>Manila and Beijing have a long history of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, but a violent clash at Second Thomas Shoal last month frayed relations between the countries.</p><p>Chinese coast guard personnel wielding knives, sticks and an axe surrounded and boarded three Philippine navy boats on June 17 during a resupply mission to Filipino troops stationed at the reef.</p><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3057668"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p>A Filipino sailor lost a finger in the clash, which was the most serious in a recent series of escalating confrontations.</p><p>Manila and Beijing agreed to de-escalate tensions and improve the Philippines-China Maritime Communications Mechanism at a bilateral consultative meeting on July 2, the diplomatic source said Wednesday.</p><p>Both sides have agreed to increase the number of communication channels beyond the current one between the maritime offices of the countries&#x27; respective foreign ministries, according to the source.</p><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3062940"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p>They also agreed to establish a line of communication between &quot;representatives&quot; of their leaders, the source said.</p><p>Another line will be set up between their respective foreign ministries, including at minister and vice minister level.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/17/-they-did-not-answer-carpio-says-ph-china-hotline-useless-1419">‘They did not answer’: Carpio says PH-China hotline ‘useless’</a></div><p>There will also be a communication channel between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards once a memorandum of understanding has been finalized.</p><p>Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian confirmed Wednesday that the countries had &quot;agreed to further strengthen sea-related communication and dialogue through diplomacy&quot;.</p><p>China and the Philippines launched the consultative meeting in 2017 to promote the peaceful management of conflicts in the South China Sea.</p><div><strong><iframe width="1143" height="643" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zwttuHOuAeQ" title="Presidential hotline won’t resolve West PH Sea dispute: expert | Gising Pilipinas (18 July 2024)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></strong></div><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><br/><strong></strong></div>

<p>The Philippines and China have agreed to raise the number of communication channels that can be used to resolve maritime spats, a diplomatic source told AFP on Wednesday.</p>

The Philippines and China have agreed to raise the number of communication channels that can be used to resolve maritime spats, a diplomatic source told AFP on Wednesday.