China urges Philippines to make ‘rational choice’ over maritime tensions

By AFP
December 22, 2023

BEIJING: China on Thursday voiced growing frustration and anger with the Philippines´ unexpectedly bold tactics in contested South China Sea waters recently, warning its neighbour to “make the rational choice”.

But Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos hit back later on Thursday, vowing not to succumb to “coercion”, insisting recent tense stand-offs in the disputed area highlighted his nation´s “courage”.

A man stands on a jetty behind a tourist boat and Chinese flags on Pingtan island, opposite Taiwan, in Chinas southeast Fujian province on April 9, 2023. — AFP
A man stands on a jetty behind a tourist boat and Chinese flags on Pingtan island, opposite Taiwan, in China's southeast Fujian province on April 9, 2023. — AFP

Videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed Chinese ships blasting water at Philippine boats this month, and there was also a collision between vessels from the two countries during tense clashes at flashpoint reefs.

China´s top diplomat warned his Philippine counterpart this week that the two countries were “facing serious difficulties” and blamed Manila, a readout late Wednesday showed.

“The root cause is that the Philippines has changed its policy stance so far, reneged on its own commitments, constantly provoked troubles at sea and undermined China´s legitimate and lawful rights,” the statement said.

“China-Philippines relations are at a crossroads. Faced with the choice of where to go, the Philippines must act with caution,” it continued.

On Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated his country´s warning and added that Beijing hoped the Philippines “can make a rational choice... and work with China to properly handle and manage the current maritime situation”.

Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo described the call with Wang Yi as “frank and candid”, according to a readout released by the Philippines foreign ministry on Thursday.

“We... ended our call with a clearer understanding of our respective positions on a number of issues,” the readout quoted Manalo as saying, noting the “importance of dialogue in addressing these issues”.

But later on Thursday Marcos, speaking to troops at a celebration marking the 88th anniversary of the Philippine military, was defiant.

He did not mention China by name, but made clear reference to the recent confrontations, calling them “worrisome”.