The Philippines and China have agreed to address differences on the South China Sea through open and cordial dialogue as well as forge on possible cooperation in the areas of fisheries, marine research and protection.
The two sides also renewed commitment to the early conclusion of the code of conduct in the strategic waterway during the sixth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea Thursday.
The latest consensus was reached after the Philippine government called for respect and adherence to international law and asserted the arbitral award in the virtual BCM meeting. Manila earlier protested the recent incursions of Chinese vessels into the country's waters.
"The two sides had friendly and candid exchanges on the general situation and specific issues of concern in the South China Sea. There was mutual recognition of the importance of dialogue in easing tensions and understanding each country’s position and intentions in the area," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement Saturday, May 22.
"Both sides acknowledged the importance of addressing differences in an atmosphere of openness and cordiality to pave the way for practical cooperation and initiatives," it said.
Foreign Affairs Acting Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso led the Philippine delegation in the virtual dialogue. Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao represented the Beijing side in this year's meeting hosted by the Philippines.
In the latest dialogue with China, the Philippine side asserted the 2016 court decision in favor of Manila in the South China Sea dispute.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration nullified China's excessive claims to South China Sea. Beijing however has refused to recognize the ruling and continued its reclamation works in the disputed territory.
"The Philippines reiterated its long-standing call for full respect and adherence to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its authoritative interpretation and application – the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award," the DFA said.
The DFA said Manila also highlighted the progress made in the settlement of the Gem-Ver allision issue involving a Philippine fishing boat and a Chinese vessel.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will take the lead in seeking just compensation for the victims in negotiations to be held next month, according to the DFA.
The two sides likewise discussed ways to advance areas of cooperation during the dialogue.
"Encouraged by the positive momentum in the bilateral relations of the two countries, the three working groups of the BCM (political-security, fisheries cooperation, and marine environmental protection/marine scientific research) tackled common issues and possible areas of cooperation," the DFA said.
Buensuceso likewise stressed the importance of other complementary bilateral and multilateral platforms in maintaining regional peace and stability such as the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the East Asia Summit.
"Both sides reiterated the importance of the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and their commitment to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC)," the DFA said.
The Philippines currently serves as Country Coordinator of the ASEAN-China dialogue mechanism.
The bilateral consultation mechanism is the platform for dialogue established by President Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in 2016. The forum aimed to manage the territorial conflict while expand bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The DFA said the BCM has served as "a confidence-building process for both sides to manage and address differences, to promote practical maritime cooperation and environmental protection, and to enhance mutual trust and confidence."
The Philippine delegation included officials from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Security Council (NSC), Department of National Defense (DND), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Justice DOJ), and other key agencies.