China hopes Philippines decides ‘rationally’ over sea row

MANILA – China said it is hoping that the Philippines will decide “rationally” after it demanded the latter to act with caution amid the row over the West Philippine Sea.

Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said Beijing has not toned down its position on its sea dispute after China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo’s request for a phone call to discuss current bilateral relations. 

During his Thursday briefing, Wang said there is “no major change in China’s tone on the issue” and that Beijing would maintain its fight for sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, a part of the bigger South China Sea that China unilaterally claims in its entirety, based on its nine-dash line theory.

“The bilateral relationship is now at a crossroads. Where it will go depends on what choice will be made. The Philippines must be very prudent about it,” he said.

Wang once again put the blame on the Philippine side over growing tension in the waters by saying it is the latter that supposedly changed its policy and position and refused to honor its purported commitment to tow away the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.

The Philippine government has repeatedly denied the existence of such a promise, with President Marcos even saying Manila would be recanting it is proved. Meanwhile, China has been unable to show proof on its claim.

Wang said China remains open to work with the Philippines in implementing previous agreements and understandings.

He also said China is maintaining its policy to work with the country and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to safeguard peace and stability in the waters.

But he also warned that Beijing’s resolve to fight for its sovereignty and interests over the waters is still there.

“We hope that the Philippines will decide rationally, follow the effective way for neighbors to get along with each other and work with China to properly handle and manage the situation at sea,” he added.