BEIJING: Deputy foreign ministers from China and the Philippines on Monday held a phone call, the countries said after Manila summoned a Chinese envoy over actions by the China Coast Guard in the South China Sea.
China’s foreign ministry reported that Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong held discussions with Philippine Deputy Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, addressing various issues including the Philippines’ transportation of supplies to a grounded military ship on Ren’ai Reef, known as Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands.
According to the statement from China, Manila’s undersecretary for bilateral relations and ASEAN affairs expressed the Philippines’ “strongest protest” against the actions undertaken by the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia.
During Monday’s phone call, Vice Foreign Minister Chen emphasized the critical juncture in China-Philippines relations and urged the Philippines to act sensibly. He called upon Manila to honor its commitments, respect consensus, and refrain from actions that could further complicate the situation. Chen urged the Philippines to return to the negotiation table to address disagreements through dialogue and consultation.
Tensions between China and the Philippines have a longstanding history, particularly concerning territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
The latest incident occurred on Saturday near Second Thomas Shoal when the China Coast Guard allegedly blocked a Philippine supply vessel and damaged it with water cannons, resulting in injuries to three Filipino soldiers.
The China Coast Guard defended its actions as “lawful regulation, interception, and expulsion” of a foreign vessel attempting to intrude into Chinese waters.
