China, PH agree to improve communication mechanism on West PH Sea issue
China has agreed to improve its existing bilateral communication mechanism with the Philippines on the West Philippine Sea issue.
Lin Jian, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, on Wednesday, July 17, confirmed that such an effort was made during the ninth Bilateral Consultation Meeting (BCM) that was held between diplomats from both sides in Manila on July 2.
Although Lin did not specify in what way China and the Philippines agreed to improve such a mechanism, he said the two countries "agreed to further enhance communication and dialogue between diplomatic and coast guard agencies, so as to jointly keep the maritime situation and the overall bilateral relationship stable."
His remark came as diplomatic sources were reported to have disclosed that a direct communication may be made at the highest level—particularly at the presidential and foreign ministry levels—during heightened tension at sea.
The new agreement was called "Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms."
"China is always committed to properly handling maritime issues with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation," Lin said.
"At the ninth meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea held earlier this month, the two sides talked about improving the maritime communication mechanism between the two countries," he added.
On July 3, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said diplomats from the Philippines and China agreed to enhance communication with regards to the South China Sea.
During the meeting, DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong had a frank and constructive discussion about their respective countries' perspective on the sea row.
It was so far the highest level meeting between officials of both sides since China's reported successive aggression of Filipino troops in the West Philippine Sea, which even led to dismemberment of a Filipino troop's finger.