WE welcome the recent statements by the Philippines and China calling for diplomacy to address simmering issues between them. Although it is not exactly a breakthrough, this could turn into an opportunity to de-escalate tensions that threaten to keep the Philippines from realizing its economic aspirations.
Screengrab from Philippine Coast Guard Video shows a Chinese Coast Guard ship using a water cannon on a Philippine vessel near Scarborough Shoal. Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
At a meeting on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in Shanghai, Filipino and Chinese diplomats agreed that closer dialogue was needed to deal with "maritime emergencies" in the disputed territories. Bilateral relations between the Philippines and China have been frayed following repeated encounters at sea. The Philippines has filed countless diplomatic protests, but China just ignores them. Worse, both countries have been flexing their respective military muscle, mainly by conducting competing military drills around contested waters.
The Philippines makes up for its military inferiority by renewing ties with allies, including the United States, Japan and others supporting its rights under international law. China, too, argues that it is just protecting its own rights. But its expansive claim to the WPS, which is part of the larger South China Sea, is problematic and indefensible because it covers the exclusive economic zone of several countries in Southeast Asia.
At that Shanghai meeting, officially called the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea, both sides agreed "that maintaining communication and dialogue is essential to maintaining maritime peace and stability," China's Foreign Ministry said. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila echoed that, saying the two countries "agreed that continuous dialogue is important to keep peace and stability at sea" and "assured each other of their mutual commitment to avoid escalation of tensions."
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. seemed out of step with the welcome development. He criticized a Chinese Foreign Ministry official for using "low and gutter-level talk" in referring to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Foreign Ministry in Beijing recently summoned the Philippine ambassador there after Mr. Marcos congratulated the newly elected leader in Taiwan.
Cooler heads need to prevail. Just like China, the Philippines has to think strategically and long-term. The better way to stand up to any foreign power threatening the national interests is to strengthen the general economy. With that, the Philippines can afford a credible minimum defense and other things useful against external threats.
The Philippines also needs to calibrate its China policy in a way that does not spook foreign investors and trigger capital flight. Investors and others avoid places that may become a war zone.
Starting somewhere
The Philippines should work with China in mutually beneficial ways, particularly on the economic front. As mentioned in previous editorials, the territorial disputes do not define this country's relationship with China.
Diplomatic engagement does not mean yielding to China whenever it crosses the line, so to speak. The Philippines should continue resisting any misbehavior through peaceful means and with backing from countries sympathetic to Manila's foreign policy. The Philippines should also continue pushing for a code of conduct in the WPS in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
More dialogue with China should be encouraged. But while the diplomatic channels are good, the ones who should be talking are military leaders on both sides. As others have pointed out, China's People's Liberation Army is reportedly notorious for ignoring its own diplomats.
Hopefully soon, Mr. Teodoro can open a direct line to his Chinese counterpart. That will be challenging. Even US defense officials have found that difficult in the past year because of political developments in China that have not been disclosed to the public.
Still, preventing a miscalculation from escalating into full-blown fighting should be the priority of all those with a stake in the WPS. War would be ruinous for the Philippines and would disrupt the global economy.
Over time, continuing dialogue and cooperation on the economic front may help restore the trust and confidence between the Philippines and China. Even though that will not happen soon, the recent meeting of diplomats in Shanghai can be the beginning of that long process.
Granted, some say talk is cheap. But not in this case.
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