PH, China to ink deal to prevent 'miscommunications' in West Philippine Sea issue

The Philippines and China are expected to sign a deal that aims to prevent "miscalculations and miscommunications" regarding the West Philippine Sea, an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

DFA Assistant Secretary Nathaniel Imperial disclosed this during the pre-departure briefing for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Beijing from January 3 to 5, 2023.

"There are other agreements... for example, you know, to avoid miscalculations and miscommunications in the West Philippine Sea, both sides have agreed to sign an agreement establishing direct communication between the foreign ministries of both countries at various levels, and that is expected to be signed by [DFA] Secretary [Enrique] Manalo and his counterpart State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the visit," Imperial said.

Imperial said Marcos wants a peaceful and stable situation in the West Philippine Sea and will "continue to uphold our country's sovereignty and sovereign rights during his meeting with Chinese leaders."

The official also said Marcos may raise and continue discussions with President Xi Jinping regarding the oil and gas explorations in the West Philippine Sea.

Asked if the President will raise the issue on China allegedly engaging in fresh construction activities in at least four unoccupied features in the Spratlys, Imperial said he does not want to preempt what Marcos will say to Chinese leaders.

"But the President will raise important issues affecting our bilateral relations, among them the issue on the West Philippine Sea," he said.

"In his meetings with Chinese leaders including President Xi, the President will discuss the full range of our bilateral relations, both of the positive aspects of it and the sensitive aspects of our relations, which includes the issue of the West Philippine Sea and China’s activities in the area," he added.

The DFA has said the construction activities violate international law.

According to Imperial, Marcos has since said that the maritime issue "do not define the totality of our bilateral relations with China, but nevertheless, he acknowledges the importance of this issue to our interest, and to the Filipino people."

In 2013, the Philippines challenged China over its massive claims on the West Philippine Sea.

Manila scored a victory and a landmark ruling by an international tribunal which invalidated Beijing’s claims.

China has since refused to acknowledge the ruling, and was accused by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) just last June of illegal fishing and preventing local vessels from carrying out a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal.

Belt and Road

"We plan to renew our participation in the Belt and Road Initiative of China, which we believe complements the infrastructure program of the administration," he said.

Imperial said the state visit is expected "to build on the growing trade and investment ties between the two economies as well as address security issues of mutual concern."

"During the state visit, between 10 to 14 bilateral government agreements are expected to be signed," Imperial said.

"These agreements represent cooperation in a broad range of areas which include trade and investments, agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, development cooperation, people-to-people ties and maritime security cooperation," he added.

Imperial emphasized that China is a very important economic partner of the Philippines, "so one of the main focuses of this visit is really to foster stronger economic cooperation."

"So, we expect a big business delegation to join the President’s delegation, and there will be a lot of business deals that will be signed," Imperial said.

"Well, we will leave that matter to the DTI to explain further, and we don’t want to pre-empt the news about the total investment pledges that will be made but there’s a very strong expectation that you know there’s great interest from Chinese investors in the Philippine economy especially in Philippine agriculture, and renewable energy, and nickel processing," he added.

"China imports 70% of its nickel ore and concentrates requirements from the Philippines. So, there’s a lot of potential in those sectors," Imperial said.

He said the importation of durian would also be finalized during Marcos' meetings with Chinese officials.

"So, we expect a lot of interest in our Durian exports, and also possible investments in the Durian producing regions in Mindanao. So, you can call that as some form of Durian diplomacy I guess, yeah," Imperial said.

There will also be a signing of a memorandum of understanding on digital cooperation that has to do with exchange of best practices and capacity building in digital connectivity, data-emerging technologies.

Imperial also mentioned likely grants from China amounting to 1.5 billion Renminbi as well as the framework for the three priority bridges crossing Pasig-Marikina River, and the Manggahan Floodway Bridges construction project.

He said an agreement on tourism cooperation would also be signed as China was the Philippines' second largest source of tourism in 2019.

'Great significance'

According to the DFA official, Marcos' state visit to China is of "great significance," as it will be the first bilateral visit of the President to a non-ASEAN country since assuming the presidency.

"With both leaders receiving a fresh mandate in recent elections, there is an expectation that the state visit will set the tone of bilateral relations between the two countries in the next five to six years," Imperial said.

"The state visit is also expected to reaffirm the cordial and neighborly relations between the two countries, ensure continuity in many facets of the bilateral relationship and chart new areas of engagement," he added.

The official activities of the President will begin on January 4 with three important meetings with the Chinese leaders, Imperial said.

His first meeting will be with Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which is equivalent to the Philippine Legislature, his second meeting will be with Premier Li Keqiang and his final and third meeting will be with his counterpart, President Xi Jinping.

The President will depart Beijing for Manila on January 5. —KBK/NB/BM, GMA Integrated News