DFA Statement on The Manila Times Article
12 March 2024 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) refers to the headline article in The Manila Times titled “Chinese Official: PH ignored China’s proposals on sea row”, published on 11 March 2024.
From the outset, the DFA wishes to underscore that the Philippines is approaching these confidential negotiations with utmost sincerity and good faith. We were, therefore, surprised by China’s disclosure of sensitive details of our bilateral discussions.
Furthermore, the DFA provides the following information to set the record straight:
1. The DFA had received last year a number of concept papers from China on various maritime-related proposals. In no way did the Philippine Government ignore China’s proposals.
2. Upon receipt of the Chinese proposals, the Philippine Government had immediately undertaken serious study and consideration of all of them. The DFA had lengthy and in-depth consultations with the various concerned Philippine Government agencies which have primary competence, or functional mandate over the topics and issues in the said Chinese concept papers. Several rounds of internal discussions and deliberations were also undertaken within the DFA to consider the Chinese proposals.
3. It should be noted that any agreement or understanding to be reached with any foreign government should not only be in accordance with our mutual interests, but should also not undermine the Philippine Constitution or denigrate the legally-settled rights of the Philippines under international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
4. While a few proposals were deemed somewhat workable, many of the remaining Chinese proposals were determined, after careful study, scrutiny and deliberation within the Philippine Government, to be contrary to our national interests.
5. The Philippine Government, thus, submitted counterproposals last year, which were products of extensive internal consultations.
6. Instead of considering the Philippine counter-proposals, however, the Chinese side presented its own counter-proposals, which again did not reflect our interests, especially on issues such as the South China Sea.
7. These matters were further discussed in person during the 8th Bilateral Consultation Meeting on the South China Sea (BCM) which was convened in Shanghai on 17 January 2024. Kindly refer to the DFA press release on the 8th BCM on what was agreed upon between the Philippines and China.
8. The proposal raised by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in March 2023 referred to a so-called “gentleman’s agreement” wherein China insisted on actions that would be deemed as acquiescence or recognition of China’s control and administration over the Ayungin Shoal as China’s territory. As Ayungin Shoal is a part of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, the proposal of China could not be considered by the Philippines without violating the Philippine constitution or international law. END