BBM, Xi agree SCS woes don’t define relationship

SAN FRANCISCO, California — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday (US time) said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping share a common understanding that the issues in the disputed waters should not overshadow the broader aspects of their relationship.

In a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, Marcos acknowledged that the problems remain, thus, the need to continue to communicate about them.

“We were in agreement that the problems that we have in South China Sea should not be the defining element of our relationship,” Marcos said.

He added that both countries need to find ways to avoid such incidents.

Marcos said he had requested the meeting with Xi to voice his concerns about the dangerous incidents that have been happening between Chinese vessels and Filipino fishermen in the SCS and prevent future occurrences.

“We try to come up with mechanisms to lower the tensions in the SCS,” Marcos said. “And that’s essentially the message of what we spoke about.”

Although changing China’s narrative on the South China Sea would be difficult, Marcos hopes his meeting with Xi would be a step in the right direction.

“We really should view this as a work in progress,” he said. “It’s a process. There is not one thing that we can do that will solve all the problems. We have to continue to communicate, we have to continue to be candid with one another, and to be sincere in our desire to keep the peace.”

Marcos said he believed both sides wanted to avoid war, which was a good foundation for further discussions.

“I do not think anybody wants to go to war,” he said.

He is aware of the differing narratives surrounding China’s actions in the SCS, but maintained that both parties must remain committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution.

He expressed optimism that his face-to-face meeting with Xi would contribute to a more peaceful environment in the SCS, recognizing the importance of maintaining open sea lanes for trade and navigation.

While Marcos acknowledged the challenges posed by the differing narratives, he said the two countries must persevere to find common ground and promote a peaceful coexistence.

“It’s a process, and this is part of the process. I talked to President Xi face-to-face, and that always makes a difference,” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has filed 465 diplomatic protests against China since January 2020. Of the figure, 122 were lodged under the Marcos administration.

The Philippines claims sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal which is part of its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Ayungin Shoal, located 200 km from Palawan and 1,000 km from China, has been a longstanding point of contention. China’s growing presence in the area has escalated tensions significantly.

Ignoring a 2016 international ruling that dismissed its claims, Beijing asserts ownership over nearly the entire SCS.