Philippines, China commit to diplomacy, de-escalation in South China Sea

A Chinese Coast Guard ship is seen blocking the direction of a Philippine Coast Guard ship conducting a resupply mission for Filipino troops stationed at a grounded warship in the South China Sea, October 4, 2023. (Reuters/Adrian Portugal/File Photo)

The Philippines and China have committed to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea and resolve disagreement through diplomacy, Manila’s foreign ministry said in a statement released on Thursday.

The two sides had “frank and productive discussions” during the 8th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Shanghai, the ministry said.

— Reporting by Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor

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