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Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe is in Manila as part of his tour of some Southeast Asian states. He met with the Secretary of Defense, Delfín Lorenzana, on Friday (September 11) at Camp Aguinaldo to discuss various topics on defense relations. DND
MANILA, Philippines – The defense leaders of the Philippines and China have agreed to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, the Department of National Defense said.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana met with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on September 11 (Friday) at Camp Aguinaldo to discuss various issues related to defense relations between the two countries.
The two defense chiefs discussed how to avoid misunderstandings and peacefully resolve differences in disputed waters, the DND statement said.
The early conclusion of the talks on the code of conduct in the South China Sea was also discussed.
Arbitration ruling
An earlier statement from the DND, recalled a few minutes after it was posted, said Lorenzana mentioned the 2016 arbitration ruling with Wei during the meeting. The ruling declared China’s claim of nine scripts over virtually the entire South China Sea illegal and baseless.
DND’s earlier statement said Lorenzana “reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to the award and its compliance without any possibility of compromise or change.”
According to the recalled statement, Lorenzana said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue “to conduct routine legitimate maritime patrols in the Western Philippine Sea and to challenge any activity that infringes on the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines.”
It has not been explained why the statement was withdrawn.
China continued its forays into the Western Philippine Sea as the world grappled with the coronavirus outbreak, which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
At the same meeting, the Chinese government pledged donations worth P1 billion for humanitarian assistance and disaster response equipment.
Wei’s visit to Manila is part of his tour of some Southeast Asian states: Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
His visit comes amid continued Chinese aggression in the Western Philippine Sea and renewed security concerns in the Philippines over Chinese investments.
Wei also met with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacanang.
TSB
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