The Philippines and China have been handling in a "peaceful manner" the issue over the Chinese Coast Guard "harassment" of a research vessel in the South China Sea, the Chinese envoy to the Philippines said.
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said on Tuesday, June 7, that the alleged harassment of a Taiwanese ship conducting research with Filipino scientists in the West Philippine Sea is being handled through diplomatic channels.
He, however, did not elaborate on his recent talk with the Department of Foreign Affairs when he was summoned over the "harassment" incident that took place in March to early April.
The ambassador only reiterated his past statements on such incidents that it's only normal for neighbors to have differences.
"We have been communicating with each other through diplomatic channels in a peaceful manner," Huang said in a press briefing.
"You know, it's very normal for two neighbors to have some differences. What is crucial is the way and the manner to handle the differences and our position is that we need to manage differences through bilateral consultations and friendly communication," Huang pointed out.
The ambassador stressed that "diplomacy works well" and that both sides must "continue to manage differences through peaceful means."
On the "harassment" incident, a vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accompanied the Taiwanese research ship and provided protection to it over Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel's "shadowing."
Huang said that the PCG and CCG have maintained "good communication" between each other.
He underscored that it "will be very important" for the Coast Guards of the two countries to maintain "this kind of friendly exchanges and cooperation so that they can perform their duty in a way which will promote, not only our bilateral relations but also peace and stability in the South China Sea."
Meanwhile, the ambassador also echoed Chinese President Xi Jinping's expectation for the two countries' relations under the new administration to "follow through the blueprint of our friendly relations in the next six years."
"So I believe, under the guidance of our two leaders, we will be able to carry forward our cooperation, build on what we have achieved and we will be able to match the Build, Build, Build program...so that we can achieve even greater and bring more benefits to our people," Huang said.