BEIIJING, China: China has called on the Philippines to reassess the future of their bilateral relationship, which it claims stands “at a crossroads,” according to a Monday commentary in the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s Communist Party.
This appeal comes amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where both nations have accused each other of deliberately ramming coast guard vessels in recent months. These incidents, including a June clash in which a Filipino sailor was injured, have overshadowed attempts to rebuild trust through dialogue and set up new lines of communication for managing maritime disputes.
The commentary, published under the pseudonym “Zhong Sheng,” urged Manila to “seriously consider the future of China-Philippines relations” and to work towards resolving conflicts through “dialogue and consultation.” China maintains sweeping claims over the South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines and several other Southeast Asian nations. These waters are crucial for global trade and are believed to contain valuable natural resources.
The Philippines, backed by a 2016 ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration that rejected China’s claims, has accused China of aggressive tactics, including a “deliberate action” to block supplies to its troops. China has dismissed these accusations, blaming the Philippines for creating so-called “humanitarian” issues.
