Once again, the sovereign states of China and the Philippines realized that diplomacy and negotiations are the correct way of doing things moving forward.
This, despite the agitation and vitriols lashed out by warmongers from both sides.
Amid the maritime debate about who owns the South China Sea that often leads to incendiary positions, the bilateral consultation mechanism on the SCS proved to be working, and working well.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong shook hands following the 9th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea held in Manila on July 2.
Both the Philippines and China camps reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalating tensions in the South China Sea during their first formal dialogue since the violent skirmish between the Chinese Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines near Ayungin Shoal on June 17.
Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong led the Philippine and Chinese delegations, respectively, and had “frank and constructive discussions” on the situation.
In her comments, Lazaro told her counterpart that the Philippines would be “relentless in protecting its interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.”
Chen, meanwhile, reiterated China's sovereignty over Nansha Qundaol including Ren'ai Jiao and the adjacent waters, and its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters.
The Chinese side urged the Philippine side to stop maritime infringement and provocation at once, earnestly abide by the provisions of the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), return to the right track of properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation, jointly manage the situation with the Chinese side, promote the easing and cooling down of the maritime situation, and stabilize China-Philippines relations from further deterioration.
“Noting recent incidents in the South China Sea, both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction,” the DFA said in a statement.
“The two sides discussed their respective positions on Ayungin Shoal and affirmed their commitment to de-escalate at once, the tensions without prejudice to their respective positions,” it added.
Meanwhile, both sides agreed to continue discussions to find a “mutually acceptable resolution” to the issues.
There were several reforms made in that meeting, among them the signing of the Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms and the agreement to further discuss how to operationalize this mechanism.
Discussions on maritime cooperation between their coast guard authorities, including the possible resumption of the Joint Coast Guard Committee will also continue.
The two sides likewise talked about the possibility of convening an academic forum among scientists and academics on marine scientific and technological cooperation.
It is noteworthy that both sides agreed to support "continued dialogue on the basis of mutual respect as two equal sovereign states facilitates peace and stability at sea, and committed to having the 10th BCM in China to sustain the positive momentum on discussions.”