Jonvic Remulla met with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on Thursday to explore ways to ease tensions between the Philippines and China.
In a Friday interview, Remulla clarified that the meeting did not tackle the dispute over the Kalayaan Island Group.
Instead, discussions centered on practical measures to de-escalate tensions and strengthen mutual understanding.
“Hindi namin pinag-usapan ‘yung Kalayaan (issue). Mas pinag-usapan namin ‘yung how to de-escalate the tensions between the two countries. And a lot has to do with cultural exchanges.”
He said both sides also exchanged views on improving law enforcement coordination to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in the Philippines.
At the same time, Remulla stressed Manila’s sovereign rights.
“It is the Philippines territorial waters. It is our sovereign right to occupy those islands. Plain and simple.”
The Philippines and China continue to face a long-standing dispute in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety.
In 2016, an Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea invalidated China’s sweeping nine-dash-line claims, a ruling that China has rejected.