Press Statement on the 8th PH-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea
Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (right) and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong (left) co-chaired the 8th Philippines-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Shanghai, China on 17 January 2024.
SHANGHAI 18 January 2024 – The Philippines and China convened the 8th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Shanghai on 17 January 2024. This is pursuant to the agreement reached between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Xi Jinping in San Francisco last November 2023 to ease and manage tensions in the South China Sea. This was followed by a phone call between Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in December 2023.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong had frank and productive discussions to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and both sides agreed to calmly deal with incidents, if any, through diplomacy. They also agreed that continuous dialogue is important to keep peace and stability at sea. Both sides presented their respective positions on the Ayungin Shoal and assured each other of their mutual commitment to avoid escalation of tensions.
The Philippines and China agreed to improve maritime communication mechanism in the South China Sea. This includes communications between foreign ministries and coast guards of the two countries.
The Philippines and China agreed to initiate talks on possible academic exchanges on marine scientific research between Filipino and Chinese scientists. END