Phl, China agree to manage WPS through dialogue

MANILA — The Philippines and China have agreed to manage the South China Sea dispute through dialogue and negotiation, Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Thursday.

The two countries discussed the current situation in the contested waters during a visit of a Chinese diplomatic delegation to Manila.

Yi Xianliang, director general of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs, met with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Undersecretary Enrique Manalo.

According to Xinhua, the two countries agreed to follow the "spirit of consensus" reached by President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping in handling the maritime dispute.

"Both sides also agreed to protect peace and stability of the South China Sea, and keep pushing forward pragmatic maritime cooperation in various fields, so as to create a good atmosphere for the healthy and stable development of bilateral relationship," Xinhua said.

The meeting between the Chinese delegation and DFA officials came days after the Philippines filed a protest against Beijing's installation of missile systems in the Spratly Islands.

The Philippine government also protested the reported harassment of Chinese navy and coast guard against Filipino troops conducting resupply missions in Ayungin Shoal.

"The current administration has acted on incidents which occurred in the disputed areas over the West Philippine Sea by taking diplomatic actions with China. Indeed, we will resort to all diplomatic initiatives when warranted but without fanfare," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

In the past months, Beijing has deployed surface-to-air missiles, jamming equipment and military transport aircraft on Fiery Cross Reef, Mischief Reef and Subi Reef, which are also being claimed by the Philippines.

The Chinese Air Force's landing of a nuclear-capable bomber aircraft on Woody Island in the Paracel Island also caused alarm. Vietnam had asked China to remove military equipment in the Paracels and accused Beijing of violating Hanoi's sovereignty.