By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippines had protested before Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recent Chinese actions and infringements in the West Philippine Sea, including the Chinese Coast Guard’s “violent actions” near Ayungin Shoal and remaining installations in the Bajo de Masinloc.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro met Wang bilaterally on the sidelines of the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay City on Wednesday, marking the first foreign minister-level meeting between the two countries for the past two years.
In their meeting, Lazaro conveyed Manila’s strong protest over the “unacceptable actions against Filipino personnel near Ayungin Shoal” and the “disturbing imagery” in a China Daily video that depicted Filipinos as monkeys, which she also described as “unacceptable, offensive, and distressing”.
She then reiterated the removal of structures in Bajo de Masinloc, which in the last official update from the government included an antenna installed on top of a rock near the feature’s entrance.
“She conveyed the Philippines’s consistent and principled positions on the South China Sea, and raised concerns over actions that have infringed on the maritime rights and entitlements, including incidents affecting the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, and reiterated the removal of remaining structures in Bajo de Masinloc,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.
“The Philippines emphasized the need to exercise restraint, avoid actions that increase tensions, and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.”
At the same time, Lazaro said they discussed the “importance of keeping communication lines open, managing tensions, and pursuing practical ways forward.”
The two ministers noted the progress of negotiations on the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct, and their willingness to conclude the document by the end of the year.
Lazaro also reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to its One China Policy, consistent with the 1975 Joint Communiqué between the Philippines and China.
The meeting follows the vice-ministerial-led back-to-back 24th Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations and the 11th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea, held from March 27 to 28, in China.
The DFA said the meeting was held in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to pursue dialogue and diplomacy with China, while still assertive in protecting the Philippine national interest. (PNA)
