2 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Chinese and Philippine authorities agreed Tuesday to “maintain peace and stability” in disputed waters in the South China Sea despite heightened tensions between the two sides over the past month following a collision between ships from both countries in the area.
During the ninth meeting of the bilateral consultation mechanism established by both countries to address issues related to this dispute, the parties agreed that this position “meets the common interests” of China and the Philippines for the future.
They have therefore agreed to continue the dialogue despite the fact that rhetoric between the governments of the two countries has intensified in recent weeks, leading Manila and Beijing to exchange accusations.
The encounter has led to a significant decrease in the presence of Chinese warships in the South China Sea, according to information collected by the newspaper ‘The Philippine Daily Inquirer’. Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesman for the Navy in the area, has asserted that of the 95 Chinese vessels present in the area, there are now only about twenty.
Asked about the possible causes of this decline, he refused to speculate. “Suffice it to say that we have seen a reduction week after week. This will be subject to further assessment,” he said.
The talks came after an incident on June 17 near the Second Thomas sandbank, where the Philippines has a base on a ship that ran aground more than two decades ago.
According to Philippine sources, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel rammed a Philippine vessel in mid-June and carried out boarding actions when Manila was preparing to carry out resupply missions to deliver supplies to troops deployed in the atoll. As a result, one Philippine serviceman was injured.
China claims most of the waters in the area as part of its territory, as they lie within the so-called “nine-dash line” that appears on maps of the Asian giant — a line drawn by the Chinese government that claims the South China Sea, including the Paracel and Spratly Islands, as its own.
Relations between China and the Philippines have been strained in recent months. Manila has accused Beijing of obstructing its troop-relief missions within what it considers its exclusive economic zone, while China insists that Philippine vessels transit these waters illegally.
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