Bilateral, multilateral talks with China on SCS continue: Carlos

During the Laging Handa program, Carlos said the country would also pursue talks with other SCS claimants. (Photo: AFP via PNA)

MANILA – Incoming National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos on Friday said the bilateral and multilateral negotiations with China to settle the South China Sea (SCS) dispute will continue under the Marcos administration.

During the Laging Handa program, Carlos said the country would also pursue talks with other SCS claimants.

“We would continue to do bilateral and multilateral talks with China and other powers because it’s not only China who is laying claims to the contested South and the East China Sea,” she said.

Carlos made the statement, as she acknowledged that a hostile approach would only aggravate the sea disputes among the sea claimants.

“Let’s just continue to talk because the alternative is something unacceptable to all of us,” she said.

She, however, ensured the continued filing of diplomatic protests against provocative acts in the contested waters, saying the country would not “acquiesce to the situation on the ground.”

China, the Philippines, and several other littoral states are locked in a territorial dispute over the SCS where Beijing claims around 80 percent of the strategic waters.

To date, concerned parties are holding bilateral and multilateral negotiations to discuss the maritime row.

The talks include the crafting of the binding Code of Conduct with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In 2016, the bilateral consultation mechanism on SCS was established to allow China and the Philippines to ensure the stable development of bilateral relations while addressing differences and managing incidents at sea.

On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, Netherlands ruled in favor of the Philippines’ petition against China after the arbitral tribunal invalidated Beijing’s claim of supposed historic rights over almost the entire SCS.

China has repeatedly ignored the SCS ruling, while the Philippines has maintained its stance to resolve the sea disputes through peaceful and diplomatic negotiations.

Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte pursued a peaceful settlement of the SCS dispute with China.

Duterte’s successor, President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., earlier vowed to uphold the PCA ruling against China.