PH, China upgrade maritime row hotline to leaders level

Metro Manila, Philippines— The Philippines and China will soon formalize a communication system to handle differences in the South China Sea at the leaders level, diplomatic sources told NewsWatch Plus.

Sources said Manila and Beijing recently signed a new deal called “Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms.”

It will provide a number of channels for communication from both sides, namely:

+ through representatives designated by their leaders;

+ through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and China Ministry of Foreign Affairs counterparts, including foreign minister and vice foreign minister levels, or their designated representatives; and

+ through coast guard channels, which will be set up once upon conclusion of the corresponding memorandum of agreement.

“The DFA is in discussions with the Chinese side on the guidelines that will govern the implementation of this arrangement,” the agreement stated.

Manila and Beijing convened the 9th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism in Manila on July 2, where senior diplomats from both sides discussed ways to manage maritime tensions.

Marcos said in March that he wanted a direct phone line with Xi to avoid escalation of tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“That is what I proposed, a kind of hotline between us so that if there is a message that needs to be sent from one president to another, we can be assured that the message will reach them,” Marcos said in an ABC 7.30 interview.

No gentlemen’s agreement

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro previously told reporters that the Philippine government is not closing its doors to China in managing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“It’s a work in progress,” said Lazaro in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City on July 8.

“Let me put it this way: There will be no gentlemen’s agreement,” she added.