Metro Manila, December 22 ------ China said its relationship with the Philippines is at a crossroads as a result of the latter's shifting position on maritime issues. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press conference that Manila needs to "decide rationally" as it will determine the future of their relationship. "Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China-Philippines relations face serious difficulty and the root cause lies in the Philippines’ change of policy and position, refusing to honor its commitment and repeated provocations that undermine China’s legitimate and lawful rights and interests," said Wang Wenbin. "The bilateral relationship is now at a crossroads," he also said. "Where it will go depends on what choice will be made. The Philippines must be very prudent about it."
Wang's statement came after a phone call between the two countries' top diplomats which was described as "a frank and candid exchange." Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said his conversation with his Chinese counterpart concluded on the importance of dialogue. "We hope that the Philippines will decide rationally, follow the effective way for neighbors to get along with each other and work with China to properly handle and manage the situation at sea," Wang said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier called for a "paradigm shift" in the West Philippine Sea amid China's continued ignorance of Manila's diplomatic efforts. Marcos succeeded former president Rodrigo Duterte, who nurtured friendly ties with China under his term. In 2016, an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations' Convention of the Law of the Sea nullified Beijing's sweeping claims over the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. China, however, continued to claim ownership of almost the entire South China Sea. Apart from the Philippines, other ASEAN states with overlapping claims with China in some areas of the South China Sea include Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Source: cnnphilippines.com
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