PH, China defense chiefs meets to resolve maritime dispute

METRO MANILA – Both The Philippines and China agrees at a bilateral meeting that the maritime dispute should be resolve peacefully to keep the stability in the South China Sea.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana met with his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe on Friday to discuss key issues that is affecting the two countries.

The two defense chiefs discussed the tensions in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea and how to manage and handle the tension peacefully.

They were able to also talked about ways to avoid misunderstandings and resolving their differences.

Both parties agreed that the peace and stability in the South China Sea is paramount and that there is a need for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Lorenzana reiterated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue to conduct legitimate marine patrol and challenge any activities that may violate the sovereignity of the country.

In the same meeting, The ceremonial signing of humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) equipment from China was also held there and Lorenza thanked China for pledging P1 billion pesos worth of donations for the disaster response equipments. Wei’s visit to Manila is a part of tour to Asean member countries: Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

Related Article: https://www.theasianaffairs.com/philippines/2020/09/09/china-continues-to-build-artificial-island-in-scs-lorenzana/