Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan characterized his Tuesday, July 21 meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a broad and fruitful dialog intended to tackle key issues in Manila-Beijing relations, noting that the session remained free of finger-pointing or hostility.
The Chinese diplomat shared his observations following a Malacañang statement revealing that President Marcos requested the sit-down after a recent sea standoff between Philippine and Chinese personnel close to Ayungin Shoal.
“The meeting was very constructive. It’s not a kind of diplomatic protest…pointing fingers at each other, exchange of strong words against each other, no. I think it was a useful, constructive, in-depth exchange of views,” Jing told reporters during a media briefing in Taguig City.
He reiterated the collaborative nature of the discussions.
“It was constructive, focused on the solution, not pointing fingers at each other,” he added.
Jing pointed out that both nations are still committed to wrapping up negotiations on the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) prior to year-end, regardless of recent friction at sea.
“Actually, during the several rounds of negotiations, the two sides China-Philippines, we met each other halfway,” he said.
The diplomat dismissed concerns that recent maritime events would delay the COC process.
“So no matter what happened bilaterally, I think our willingness to finish the series of talks by the end of this year are not changed,” Jing said.
Additionally, Jing revealed that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold official talks with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro during his diplomatic trip to the Philippines on Wednesday, July 22.
“Our Prime Minister Wang Yi arrived today. He has a number of bilateral meetings until tomorrow. He will meet his counterpart Secretary Lazaro. That’s a very important meeting, part of our bilateral relations that’s very critical,” Jing said.
Regarding whether the two countries might re-evaluate their temporary pact covering the contested area, Jing indicated that future steps hinge on upcoming events.
“We will see what will happen. If everything goes well in the agreement, we will follow up on that agreement,” he said.
He noted that actions would correspond to the situation at sea.
“If there’s a confrontation, challenge each other, provoke the other side, we will see what will happen,” he added.
According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the latest standoff occurred at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Monday, July 20, when an eight-person rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) deployed from China Coast Guard vessel “21560” approached within 20 to 30 meters of the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine Navy ship stationed at Ayungin Shoal.