KUALA LUMPUR: The Philippines is open to any extra agreements with Beijing that may assist keep peace within the South China Sea, its prime diplomat mentioned, amid unabated confrontations between them over disputed options.
The South China Sea, a conduit for about US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, stays a supply of pressure between China and US ally the Philippines, with ties at their worst in years amid frequent standoffs which have sparked regional issues they may spiral into battle.
The Philippines is vexed by the fixed presence of China’s coast guard in its unique financial zone, the place each nations declare sovereignty over disputed options, together with uninhabited sandbars, an atoll wealthy in fish shares and a reef the place Manila has troops stationed on a grounded navy ship.
“I am not saying they (preparations) will essentially happen, however something throughout the scope of diplomatic means or peaceable means or cooperation is actually inside our template,” Manalo informed journalists on the sidelines of an Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Offers have been struck earlier than, with the Philippines and China final yr reaching a “provisional association” for resupply missions to the grounded vessel on the Second Thomas Shoal after repeated flare-ups between rival vessels.
China has accused the Philippines of trespassing in its waters however denies allegations of aggressive conduct. Beijing has advocated for dialogue with Manila to handle disputes.
China claims sovereignty over virtually all the South China Sea, which incorporates elements of the EEZs of Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines.
The stakes are excessive within the occasion of a miscalculation between Beijing and Manila, with the US bound by a 1951 mutual defence treaty to come back to the help of the Philippines within the occasion of any armed assault, together with within the South China Sea.
