Chinese vice-president urges better South China Sea approach with Philippines as Marcos takes the reins
- Chinese vice-president Wang Qishan attended the inauguration ceremony of Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and said the Philippines was a priority for China’s diplomacy
- Marcos said he would use a 2016 UN arbitral ruling to assert the nation’s territorial right over the contested waterway
“The Chinese side has always placed the Philippines as a priority in its neighbouring diplomacy, and looks forward to working with the new Philippine government to carry forward friendship, enhance mutual trust, and continue cooperation, so as to usher in a new ‘golden era’ for China-Philippines relations,” Wang was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
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Ferdinand Marcos Jnr takes office as the Philippines’ new leader
The two nations should “adhere to the proper handling of disputes and jointly safeguard the peace and tranquillity of the South China Sea,” he said.
China and the Philippines have been at odds for years over the South China Sea. Beijing has claimed sovereignty over almost the entirety of the waters, which are also claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
During his election campaign, Marcos said he would negotiate a deal with Beijing to resolve their territorial dispute in the South China Sea.
