The Philippine Foreign Minister stated on Wednesday that after the recent clash between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, the Philippines has sent a diplomatic note to Beijing, hoping to engage in dialogue with the Chinese authorities as soon as possible.
According to Bloomberg News, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo said at a forum on Wednesday, “No country can claim almost the entire South China Sea as its territory.” He later told reporters that the Philippine government had sent a routine communication to the Chinese authorities.
Manalo mentioned that the dialogue between China and the Philippines established through bilateral consultations on maritime disputes would soon be initiated.
When asked if the Philippines was seeking to ease tensions with China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, Manalo stated, “We are committed to peace and stability. We will do our best to promote peace and stability without sacrificing our sovereign rights.”
On June 17th, Chinese coast guard personnel intercepted a Philippine navy supply mission at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, leading to a violent clash between the two sides.
Footage released by the Philippine Armed Forces showed Chinese coast guard officers wielding rifles and axes, forcefully preventing the Philippine navy from completing the supply mission, damaging the Philippine vessel, and confiscating firearms. The Philippines reported that at least 8 Filipino personnel were injured in the conflict, with one sailor losing a thumb.
The Philippine government subsequently labeled this action by Chinese authorities as “deliberate” and demanded the return of the confiscated firearms and compensation for the losses incurred. However, China has consistently asserted that its actions were legal.
MaryKay Carlson, the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, also attended the forum on Wednesday. Referring to the latest conflict between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, she urged “the People’s Republic of China to stop harassing Philippine vessels operating lawfully in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.”
She added that “China should cease undermining the sovereign rights of countries to explore, exploit, conserve, and manage natural resources within their exclusive economic zones.”