Embassy to bring China-PH ties back on track after Jing-Tulfo meeting

MANILA, February 27 ------ The Chinese Embassy in Manila said it will double efforts to bring the bilateral relations between China and the Philippines “back on track” under Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan on the heels of a recent dialogue with Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Erwin Tulfo. “The Chinese Embassy will continue to actively promote dialogue and exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and bring bilateral relations back on track at an early date. It is in the fundamental interests of both peoples,” Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng said.

Jing and Tulfo met on Monday after heated exchanges between embassy and Filipino government officials for several weeks, including some senators, on the issue of the West Philippine Sea. During the meeting, described by Ji as “candid, constructive, and forward-looking,” the envoy outlined China’s position on its relations with the Philippines, the Taiwan question, and on the South China Sea, and agreed to “keep diplomatic channels open and continue political conversations.”

Both sides also noted the progress in the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea negotiations, and acknowledged the need to strengthen dialogue between the two coast guards. Jing and Tulfo, the embassy added, agreed to further advance cooperation in areas such as people-to-people exchanges, law enforcement, trade and investment.

Meanwhile, Ji clarified the envoy's previous remarks, where he said “any conflict would inevitably harm the long-term relationship between the two neighboring countries,” and that the best option is to “sit down for talks.” “By saying that, the Ambassador was referring to handling maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation,” he said. “The context did not imply that the Chinese Embassy was initiating talks with specific Philippine legislators or trying to tone down the debate. Debate should proceed when necessary—truth becomes clearer through it,” he added.

The word war earlier prompted proposals from both the Senate and Congress to declare certain Chinese Embassy officials persona non grata.

Source: pna.gov.ph