Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Tuesday, July 21, described his meeting with President Marcos as a “constructive” and “in-depth” exchange of views focused on finding solutions to issues straining Philippines-China relations, saying it was not a diplomatic protest or an exchange of strong words.

Earlier, Malacañang said President Marcos had summoned Jing over the maritime incident involving Philippine and Chinese forces at Ayungin Shoal.

“The meeting was very constructive. It’s not a kind of diplomatic protest…pointing fingers at each other, exchange of strong words against each other, no. I think it was a useful, constructive, in-depth exchange of views,” he told the media during a briefing in Taguig City.

“It was constructive, focused on the solution, not pointing fingers at each other,” he added.

Despite the latest incident, Jing said the Philippines and China remain committed to concluding negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea by the end of the year.

“Actually, during the several rounds of negotiations, the two sides China-Philippines, we met each other halfway,” he said.

He also dismissed concerns that the latest developments would derail the negotiations.

“So no matter what happened bilaterally, I think our willingness to finish the series of talks by the end of this year are not changed,” Jing said.

Jing also said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to meet Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro during his visit to the Philippines on Wednesday, July 22.

“Our Prime Minister Wang Yi arrived today. He has a number of bilateral meetings until tomorrow. He will meet his counterpart Secretary Lazaro. That’s a very important meeting, part of our bilateral relations that’s very critical,” he said.

Asked whether the Philippines and China would revisit their provisional understanding, Jing said future developments would depend on how the situation unfolds.

“We will see what will happen. If everything goes well in the agreement, we will follow up on that agreement,” he said.

“If there’s a confrontation, challenge each other, provoke the other side, we will see what will happen,” he added.

On Monday, July 20, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said a skirmish began at around 9:15 a.m. after an eight-man rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) launched from a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel bearing bow number “21560” approached within 20 to 30 meters of the BRP Sierra Madre, a commissioned Philippine Navy (PN) ship.