China, Philippines agree to hold talks

Beijing's ability to take suitable actions should not be underestimated: Experts

In the latest high-level liaison between Beijing and Manila, China has warned that it will defend its rights lawfully and "respond resolutely" if the Philippines continues to make trouble in the South China Sea.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued the stern warning during a phone conversation with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo on Wednesday.

During the talks, "the two sides agreed to hold a meeting of the bilateral consultation mechanism on the South China Sea issue at an early date and earnestly create conditions for this", the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Observers said Manila's policymakers should not underestimate China's determination and ability to roll out countermeasures, and should faithfully create conditions for the expected two-way consultations and stop provocations around China's Nansha Islands.

The two countries have previously explored effective ways and dialogue channels to manage crises around matters such as fisheries and law enforcement, and these good practices and tools should not be put aside, they added.

In a sign of heightened tensions, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin revealed earlier this month that recently "China has made serious demarches nearly 100 times and officially expressed our protest to the Philippines".

On Dec 10, Philippine vessels intruded adjacent waters of the Ren'ai Reef in an attempt to send construction materials to the illegally grounded warship there.

Chinese officials have made it clear that the relations are currently "facing serious difficulties" as the Philippine side "has backpedaled on the commitments it made".

During Wednesday's talks, Wang Yi said that "China-Philippines ties are at a crossroads" and that Manila "must act with prudence".

China will "respond resolutely" if the Philippine side misjudges the situation, remains a stickler to its current approach, colludes with ill-intentioned external forces and continues to stir up trouble and chaos, he said.

Wang Yi said that "existing disputes should be tackled through consultations" because it is a proven way to help neighboring countries get along and "a useful experience that has enabled China-Philippines ties to rebound".

Manalo briefed Wang Yi on Manila's views on the Ren'ai Reef, stating its hope to manage differences in a way acceptable to both sides, enabling the cooling of tensions and preventing conflicts.

Strengthening dialogue

He said Manila is willing to strengthen dialogue with Beijing in good faith, tap into the bilateral communication mechanism on maritime issues and seek solutions to problems together.

Wang Yi called on the Philippines to return to the right path as soon as possible, saying that "it is imperative to properly handle and control the current maritime situation".

Wu Shicun, chairman of the Huayang Research Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance and founding president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said: "There is no reason for the two sides to shelve these effective bilateral mechanisms that can avoid escalation of conflicts."

Looking back 10 years, Wu said the ties have witnessed a number of ups and downs around the South China Sea issue, and since the second half of 2016, the two countries' relations have returned to the right track.

"In terms of shaping the ties' smooth development in the future, two major factors — the South China Sea issue and the United States' part in China-Philippines ties — cannot be ignored," he added.

Wang Wenbin, the ministry spokesman, said on Thursday: "Manila is expected to make a coolheaded choice." There is no change in Beijing's commitment to managing disputes through dialogue, he said.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn