Chinese and Philippine officials meet for South China Sea talks after series of recent clashes
- Manila ‘hoping for the best’ from meeting, which took place a day after the most recent confrontation between the two sides
Chinese and Philippine officials met to discuss the South China Sea on Tuesday, even as Beijing accused Manila of “undermining peace and stability” in the disputed waters.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo confirmed the talks – the first of their kind since January – were taking place in Manila and said he was “hoping for the best”, news portal rappler.com reported.
Last week he had said he hoped talks between the two sides would help manage tensions.
The two sides have been involved in a series of confrontations in the disputed waters this year.
These include an incident where Chinese coastguards intercepted a Philippine naval mission to resupply troops stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal on June 17, leading to clashes in which a Philippine sailor lost a thumb.
The Chinese intervention was the first since new rules came into force allowing them to carry out “boarding inspections” in waters China claims as its own.