The South China Sea has been a major point of contention for many countries in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and China. However, according to an official, the differences in the South China Sea do not serve as the sum total of the Philippines-China relations. There are other aspects and factors that need to be considered in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. In this article, we will explore these other aspects and shed light on the current state of the Philippines-China relations.
Enrique Manalo, the Philippine foreign minister, stated on Saturday that the differences between his country and China in the South China Sea should not define the whole relationship between the two nations. The statement comes in the context of bilateral talks in Manila with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang. He insisted that these disagreements should not be obstacles to managing them effectively, especially regarding the enjoyment of fishery rights by Filipino fishermen. Manila has on previous occasions issued diplomatic protests at China’s “aggressive actions” and the presence of Chinese fishing boats in the disputed waters.
Qin affirmed that China is willing to work with the Philippines to implement the consensus established between the two countries and find solutions to their differences. Notably, China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a crucial maritime route for ship-borne trade flows, estimated at $3tn annually, and is believed to be rich in minerals including oil and gas. The area is also claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
The statement by Manalo coincided with last week’s events occurring in the region, including China’s plans to conduct naval exercises in the South China Sea and Malaysia’s protests accusing China of breaching the maritime boundaries of Borneo. The Philippines has played a significant role in regional conflicts concerning China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea. In 2016, an arbitration tribunal invalidated China’s sweeping claims to the region, which Beijing dismissed as illegal. The Philippines, through the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, has since attempted to establish a friendlier relationship with China.
However, several incidents during the pandemic pointed to potential souring ties between China and the Philippines. Filipinos and Chinese vessels collided in the South China Sea earlier this year, and fierce criticism by Manila of Beijing’s handling of the Covid-19 outbreak heightened tensions. Meanwhile, the US has ramped up its engagement in the region, sending missile systems to Taiwan, and deploying naval vessels in the South China Sea to demonstrate its commitment to regional security. China has repeatedly warned that any foreign military presence in the region threatens its sovereignty.
