July 3, 2024

Although China and the Philippines have agreed on a need to restore trust and create conditions for productive dialogue on the South China Sea issue during the latest round of crucial consultations, some Chinese experts said on Wednesday that they will take a "wait-and-see" approach given that Manila frequently "says one thing but does another," and it remains to be seen whether the Philippines can truly fulfill its commitment to de-escalate the situation. 

Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Xiaodong and Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro co-chaired the 9th meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) in Manila on Tuesday, according to a readout released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on late Tuesday night. 

Both sides engaged in candid and constructive exchanges on the South China Sea situation, particularly on managing the situation at China's Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef). China reiterated its sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Ren'ai Jiao, and the adjacent waters, asserting its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant maritime areas, the Chinese ministry said.

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