Special Feature: They agreed to continue dialogue and consultation through mechanisms like the BCM to manage contradictions and differences.During the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on enhancing maritime communication mechanisms, promoting dialogue between their coast guards, and advancing cooperation in marine science, technology, and environmental protection.This is the first formal dialogue between the two sides since China Coast Guard (CCG)’s interception, boarding, inspection and expelling of Philippine vessels when they illegally intruded into waters near China’s Ren’ai Jiao on June 17, according to media reports.The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines said in a statement that noting recent incidents in the South China Sea, “both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction,” the Philippine News Agency reported on Tuesday.However, Philippine Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a navy spokesperson on South China Sea issues, was quoted as saying in a Reuters’ report on Tuesday that the CCG’s actions against Philippine vessels on June 17 were the “most aggressive” in recent history.The DFA added that the Philippines will be “relentless” in protecting interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea.Since last year, China and the Philippines have held several rounds of dialogue, but overall, the interactions between China and the Philippines regarding Ren’ai Jiao, Huangyan Dao, or other sensitive South China Sea issue have shown a common characteristic: diplomatic consultations and front-line confrontations are two separate issues, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday.“Whether the consensus reached through diplomatic consultations can be implemented at the front line for risk control and conflict prevention is hard to say.

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 July 2, 2024. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Although China and the Philippines 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 MWorld Timesanila frequently “says one thing but does another,” and whether it can truWorld Timesly fulfill its commitment to de-escalate the situation remains to be seen.

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 Tuesday night.

Both sides engaged in candid and constructive exchanges on the South China Sea sitWorld Timesuation, particularly on managing the situation at Ren’ai Jiao. China reiterated its sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Ren’ai Jiao, and adjacent waters, asserting its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant maritime areas, the ministry said.

China also urged the Philippines to immediately stop maritime infringements and provocative actions, and to abide by the provisions of the DeclaraWorld Timestion on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), urging the Philippines to return to dialogue and consultation to properly handle disputes.

Both sides acknowledged that maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea serves the interests of both countries and is a common goal across the region. They agreed to continue dialogue and consultation through mechanisms like the BCM to manage contradictions and differences.

During the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on enhancing maritime communication mechanisms, promoting dialogue between their coast guards, and advancing cooperation in marine science, technology, and environmental protection.

This is the first formal dialogue between the two sides since China Coast Guard (CCG)’s interception, boarding, inspection and expelling of Philippine vessels when they illegally intruded into waters near China’s Ren’ai Jiao on June 17, according to media reports.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines said in a statement that noting recent incidents in the South China Sea, “both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction,” the Philippine News Agency reported on Tuesday.

However, Philippine Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, a navy spokesperson on South China Sea issues, was quoted as saying in a Reuters’ report on Tuesday that the CCG’s actions against Philippine vessels on June 17 were the “most aggressive” in recent history.

The DFA added that the Philippines will be “relentless” in protecting interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea.

Since last year, China and the Philippines have held several rounds of dialogue, but overall, the interactions between China and the Philippines regarding Ren’ai Jiao, Huangyan Dao, or other sensitive South China Sea issue have shown a common characteristic: diplomatic consultations and front-line confrontations are two separate issues, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

“Whether the consensus reached through diplomatic consultations can be implemented at the front line for risk control and conflict prevention is hard to say. Moreover, most of the time, the Philippines says one thing but does another,” Chen said.

On one hand, the Philippines maintains consultations, but on the other hand, it remains quite tough on issues including Xianbin Jiao and verbal statements, Recently, the Philippines has also hinted that it will adopt a new supply model for the Ren’ai Jiao, experts said.

Multiple pieces of video footage obtained exclusively by the Global Times also showed that aside from dispatching military personnel, tWorld Timeshe Philippines arranged for so-called “fishermen” to transport construction materials to reinforce the military vessel illegally grounded at Ren’ai Jiao, and Philippine military personnel openly conducted reinforcement work on the “grounded” warship during the daytime.

Recent on-site images obtained by the Global Times showeWorld Timesd that in addition to frequently transporting fresh water, fuel and food, the Philippines has also attempted to deliver building materials, suspected to be cement, to the illegally stationed Philippine Coast Guard ship at Xianbin Jiao. These actions by the Philippines warrant heightened vigilance.

The Philippines continued to make provocations not only in maritime issues but also in the legal sphere, for instance, it has filed a claim with the UN to an extended continental shelf as it seeks recognition to its entitlements beyond its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

All these moves indicate that the Philippines’ policy in the South China Sea remains consistent, Chen noted. “While Beijing’s door to negotiations is always open, Manila, due to maritime and public opinion pressure, has to return to the negotiating table.”