The stalemate in disputed areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is poised to go on indefinitely even after top Filipino and Chinese diplomats held “frank and candid” discussions but ultimately ended up agreeing on nothing substantive enough to break the maritime impasse.
The assault on a lone Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel by a flotilla of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ships in Escoda Shoal dominated talks during the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) held in Beijing on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila said.
While both sides refused to budge on their territorial claims, Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong did manage to agree on “approaching the matter at hand through peaceful dialogue.”
Both sides also agreed that there was a need for cooperation on maintaining “hotline mechanisms, coast guard cooperation, and marine scientific and technological cooperation.”
On Thursday, DFA Spokesperson Teresita Lazaro said that the Philippines’ position in Escoda Shoal remains “consistent,” emphasizing that it is within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“Both sides also reaffirmed the BCM as a forum for promoting maritime dialogue and enhancing bilateral cooperation while agreeing to continue engagement through diplomatic channels,” DFA statement emphasized.
Still, Chen called for the withdrawal of Philippine vessels from Escoda Shoal and reasserted China’s “principled position” based on the widely disputed nine-dash-line.
Even as Beijing talks about diplomacy, one of its top generals said on Thursday that China will “crush” any foreign incursion into its sovereign territory.
“We hope that the South China Sea will remain a sea of peace. [But] if the United States moves its pawns behind the scenes, if it pushes countries to the front line, or if the United States itself ends up on the front line, then we in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army… will never have any patience,” Chinese army Lieutenant General He Lei told during a defense forum.
“We in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will resolutely crush any foreign hostile encroachment on China’s territorial, sovereign and maritime rights and interests with firm determination, staunch will, strong capability and effective means,” he added.
