About this write Reuters.
“The Philippines and China should continue to communicate because the meeting is a key part of the process of maintaining peace and maintaining open sea lanes and air routes over the South China Sea. We have been trying to find mechanisms to reduce tensions in the South China Sea,” Marcos told reporters on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco.
The President of the Philippines stressed that he expressed his concern about the incidents between Chinese and Philippine vessels. He said he also raised the issue of the plight of Filipino fishermen.
“I asked for a return to the situation where Chinese and Filipino fishermen fished together in these waters,” Marcos said.
It is noted that Filipino fishermen are complaining that Chinese coast guard ships are preventing them from fishing in a part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
According to Marcos, he and Xi agreed that geopolitical issues should not be a defining element in the relations between the two countries.
“I don’t think anyone wants to go to war,” the Philippine leader emphasized.
- On October 22, Chinese vessels blocked a Philippine boat in the South China Sea – the Philippines accused China of violating sovereignty.
- A little later, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines again accused the PRC of invading its waters after an incident involving warships of both countries.
Fuente: espreso.tv
