ZURICH, Switzerland — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. clarified that the Philippines and China only have an agreement, not a partnership, that would allow Filipino fishermen to fish in the South China Sea.
Marcos said this after former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos said that the Philippine government was supposedly studying a proposal by the Chinese government for a partnership with fishing villages to achieve a modus vivendi in the disputed waters.
In an interview with reporters en route to Davos, Switzerland, where he is set to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), the President said he had no idea when the idea of a “partnership” started to float.
“Actually, I don’t know how the word ‘partnership’ started to be used,” Marcos said.
He, however, noted that what the Philippines and China had was an agreement amid Beijing’s continued rejection of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that invalidated its claim over a vast portion of the South China Sea.
“It’s really an agreement that China will not stop our fishermen from fishing. That’s it. Very simple,” the President said.
“They (China) will continue to allow our fishermen to fish in the fishing grounds that they have used for many generations. That’s it. It’s very simple,” he added.
WATCH: President Marcos on reports that China is proposing a partnership with fishing villages in the Philippines to fish in the South China Sea. @manilabulletinhttps://t.co/VTMLH5coRW pic.twitter.com/2cD2RagkGt
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) January 15, 2023
Marcos was just in China for a State Visit earlier this month— his first foreign trip this year.
In an interview with China’s CGTN, President Marcos said he was confident that the Philippines and China could move forward despite their differences.
“I feel confident. As I said, the foundations that we have laid— because it is not only discussion that China and the Philippines are having,” he said, noting the government, educational, and cultural exchanges between the neighboring countries.
“Those, I think, help solidify the relationship. They continue to become stronger, and they continue to become more important to our two countries. Because of that, I feel very confident that we will be able to move forward,” he added.