Chinese Embassy mum on Bajo de Masinloc, says 4th round of talks with PH set

China is preparing for the fourth round of its bilateral political dialogue with the Philippines, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan said Wednesday, as his remarks coincided with reports of an alleged structure being built by China at Bajo de Masinloc.

Maritime monitoring group SeaLight earlier reported that China appeared to have started constructing a structure at the feature, also known as Scarborough Shoal and Panatag Shoal.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to issue a statement on the SeaLight report, but Jing said there are “positive” developments coming in the relationship between the Philippines and China.

“Now we already have three rounds of political dialogue. We’re preparing now for the fourth round of dialogue. So, many positive progress,” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has also yet to issue a statement on the SeaLight report. The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro earlier said they are still verifying the information.

The last political dialogue between Philippine and Chinese officials was held in Cebu in January, a day before negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea between senior officials of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which the Philippines currently serves as chair.

Jing said there are people he described as “anti-China forces” who do not want to see an improvement in the relationship between the Philippines and China, and are allegedly trying to derail efforts to improve bilateral relations.

“But some people, some anti-China forces, they don’t want to see that. And they try every means, try to slow down, stop, or even destroy, damage our efforts The positive momentum.”

Jing made the remarks during the Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding, where several individuals were recognized for their contributions to strengthening relations between the Philippines and China.

Among those honored was Dr. Clarita Carlos, former National Security Adviser during the early part of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s term.

Jing said those allegedly trying to damage Philippines-China relations should be stopped and told that their efforts would not succeed.

“Tell them, your attempt will be doomed to be a failure. So tell them stop doing that. Second thing. We should concentrate more on the positive elements,” he said.

The Chinese envoy said China wants more exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, as well as what he described as more “positive energy” to counter the “noise” affecting bilateral relations.

“We should have more exchanges, visits, cooperation, friendship, positive stories, positive elements, put more positive energy elements, good story to our bilateral relations to offset those noise, to make sure their attempt will be a failure. That is what we should do,” he said. — BM, GMA News