Pres. Duterte and Xi Jinping talk in Regards to South China Sea Disputes

Philippine and Chinese Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Xi Jinping have emphasized the need to exercise restraint within the South China Sea as tensions continue to rise. The two leaders conducted an hour-long telephone conference last Friday to discuss a wide array of topics, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 responses.

“The leaders stressed the need to exert all efforts to maintain peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea by exercising restraint, dissipating tensions, and working on a mutually agreeable framework for functional cooperation,” the presidential office said in a statement.

According to Duterte’s office, both presidents have committed to pushing for more positive engagements as disputes continue.

Since taking office in 2016, Duterte has aimed for friendlier relations with Beijing, setting aside the longstanding territorial issues over the South China Sea in exchange for billions of dollars of aid, loans, and investment pledges.

Jinping and Duterte spoke about the importance of continuing these discussions and concluding the code of conduct on the South China Sea. Last March, the Philippines filed a diplomatic protest over a Chinese Coast Guard ship engaging in “close distance maneuvering” as it risked collision in the disputed territory.

The presidential office also added that the leaders call for a peaceful resolution regarding the Ukraine situation and pledge to work together in addressing the impacts of climate change.

President Duterte, 77 years old, is set to end his single, six-year term in June 2022.

Source: Reuters