PH, China to enhance cooperation, communication in South China Sea

The Philippines and China have agreed to enhance the system of communication and coordination between their respective Coast Guards, especially when they meet in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) revealed that following its First HighLevel Visit Meeting with the China Coast Guard in Zhanjiang, China, it was agreed that they would both promote an atmosphere of partnership and cooperation in the South China Sea.

This, according to the PCG, means that when the two Coast Guards meet in the said sea, “they would be able now to communicate with each other in a fashionable, friendly, and cooperative manner.”

Under the agreement, the Hotline Communication Mechanism in the operational and tactical level were established by the two Coast Guards in their security and law enforcement cooperation.

Furthermore, the Chinese Ministry of Transport through their Maritime Rescue Coordinating Council offered a Hotline of Communication equipment, which would provide real time, 24/7 communication between the two agencies using radio communications and video conferencing.