Philippines' President Calls on China to Prevent Incidents in South China Sea

Philippines Urges China to Engage in Dialogue for Conflict Prevention

May 25, 2023

MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines has made a strong call to China, urging them to engage in dialogue to prevent further confrontations in the South China Sea. Emphasizing the need to avoid incidents such as vessel ramming and the use of water cannons, the President highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Philippines to communicate with Chinese leadership in order to de-escalate tensions in the region.

International Collaborative Efforts

President Marcos also expressed optimism following a joint maritime activity involving the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and the United States. The initiative, which concluded recently, aimed to enhance cooperation and security in the South China Sea, with the goal of reducing maritime incidents with China. The activity involved the deployment of five warships by the defence forces of the four nations, signaling a unified effort to address challenges in the region.

Upcoming Summit

In a further development, it has been confirmed that leaders from Japan, the United States, and the Philippines will convene in Washington later this week for a summit. The agenda is expected to cover recent incidents in the South China Sea, in addition to other regional matters of mutual concern.

China's embassy in Manila has not provided an immediate response to the President's statements.