By Joyce Rocamora
MANILA – The Marcos administration will continue dealing with Beijing diplomatically as the Philippines balances its economic relations with China while protecting its interests in its territories, including in the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking at a Palace briefing on Friday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Philippines views trade and investment with China separately from disputes over the South China Sea.
“Hindi nakikita, hindi nais makita ng ating pamahalaan, ng Pangulo na darating yung punto na hindi magiging maganda yung relasyon ng China at Pilipinas (Our government, the President do not see, and do not wish to see the relationship between China and the Philippines reaching a point where it will take a turn for the worse),” she said.
“Kaya ang utos ng Pangulo, ang pakikipag-usap sa pamunuan ng China ay in a diplomatic manner dahil hindi nais ng Pangulo na masira ang relasyon ng dalawang bansa but still nandun pa rin po yung pagprotekta ng gobyerno, ng administrasyon, ng Pangulo sa interes nating lahat sa West Philippine Sea at sa ating teritoryo (That is why the President has directed that engagements with the Chinese leadership be conducted in a diplomatic manner; he does not want the relationship between the two nations to be damaged. At the same time, this administration, the President will continue to protect our interests in the West Philippine Sea and safeguard our territory,” she added.
The statement comes after China described the bilateral relations as entering an “extremely sensitive stage,” accusing certain individuals of “actively seeking to undermine normal exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.”
Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs called out Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan after saying China could easily win if it uses force but it won’t — remarks both the DFA and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. interpreted as a veiled threat that warrants an explanation. (PNA)
