The Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Philippines, Enrique Manalo, issued a statement revealing that he engaged in a “frank and candid exchange” with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the news agency reported.
According to Manalo, this dialogue has led to a “clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues.”
Highlighting the importance of diplomatic discourse, Manalo emphasised that both China and the Philippines recognise the necessity of using dialogue to address the various issues between the two nations, particularly in the context of tensions in the South China Sea, according to Voice of America.
During the call, Wang Yi expressed that China and the Philippines are currently “facing serious issues” and issued a cautionary note, stating, “the Philippines must act with caution,” as per a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry.
Wang went on to underscore that the relations between the two countries are at a crucial juncture, characterising the situation as a crossroads. He pointed to what he deemed provocations at sea by the Philippines, actions that he asserted undermined China’s legal rights.
The South China Sea has been a longstanding point of contention between China and the Philippines, with both countries having overlapping claims in the region. In recent months, there have been multiple incidents involving fishing boats, military ships, and other vessels, adding to the complexity of the maritime disputes.
Earlier on, December 15, China rejected the recent US statement backing the Philippines over West Philippine Sea (WPS) aggression, according to a news channel report.
