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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DFA chief says relations with China 'very complex'

DFA chief says relations with China 'very complex'

Published Feb 20, 2023 12:22 pm

Amid recent tensions on the South China Sea, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo has acknowledged the complexity of the Philippine relations with China, considering the country's economic and cultural ties with its Asian giant neighbor.

Speaking at a high-level security conference in Munich over the weekend, Manalo said the "very strong links" of the Philippines—as well as other countries in the region—with China on the economic and cultural fronts "create a greater, more complexity" to the ongoing situation.

Screenshot from Munich Security Conference YouTube Live

Manalo found it "very complex" since "we have this issue on the South China Sea with China, but at the same time we've also agreed with China that this issue is not going to be the sum total of our relationship."

The country's top diplomat made the pronouncement as he lamented the "daily incidents" of harassment that Filipinos experience in the South China Sea as well as land reclamation activities, "which in many cases have been depriving the Philippines of the use of our exclusive economic zone (EEZ)."

This occurs despite the 2016 Arbitral Ruling, which "clearly stated that the Chinese claim of a nine-dash line in the South China Sea is inconsistent with" the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, he added.

"So we're abiding by that," Manalo said, noting it is "these challenges" that the Philippines is facing.

Noting China’s permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council, Manalo said what the council could do perhaps is to have “open debates” and create awareness of the issue.

“In terms of this particular issue, the UN could have a role in the sense of bringing this issue to the fore in discussions and debates,” he said.

“Perhaps, the council could have a debate maybe not necessarily directly on the arbitral award but on the rule and order for example to prevail in the maritime domain in the South China Sea and to talk about UNCLOS,” he added.

Manalo believed such discussions are important so conflicts are settled by peaceful means and not through “coercive measures or aggressive moves.”

Related Tags

relations Enrique Manalo Philippines South China Sea very complex china
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