WASHINGTON, USA: Jose Manuel Romualdez, Manila’s envoy to Washington, revealed that a summit involving at least 20 countries is scheduled to take place this month on the fringes of the U.N. General Assembly.
The purpose of the conference is to discuss China’s hostile approach toward the Philippines in the South China Sea. The summit, set for the week of September 22 in New York, aims to unite countries in urging China to reconsider its actions in the contested waters.
Romualdez emphasized the importance of a unified stance, stating that if enough countries convey that China’s actions are on the “wrong side of history,” there may be a chance to prevent further escalations. The United States, a key ally of the Philippines, has not yet commented on the planned summit.
The Philippines and China have been involved in recent confrontations over the disputed South China Sea, including incidents where coast guard vessels allegedly rammed each other. The most serious clash occurred in June, resulting in a Filipino sailor losing a finger. In response, Chinese state media has urged the Philippines to reconsider their diplomatic relations.
Romualdez, speaking at Washington’s New America think tank, highlighted the unprecedented nature of this challenge for the Philippines, likening it to the difficulties faced during World War Two. He revealed that approximately 238 Chinese ships and militia vessels are persistently patrolling the disputed areas.
The planned summit aims to rally international support for the Philippines to press China diplomatically. Countries such as Australia, Japan, India, and Singapore have already criticized China’s “dangerous and coercive” actions and called for peaceful resolutions. Romualdez emphasized the need for stronger alliances to signal to China that many nations disapprove of its actions in the Indo-Pacific region. The hope is that this collective effort will encourage China to pursue more diplomatic and peaceful approaches.
