China formally lodges a stern protest with the Philippines.

According to the Department of Boundary and Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on March 28, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong, together with Philippine Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and ASEAN Affairs official Herrera-Lin, jointly chaired the 11th meeting of the China-Philippines bilateral consultations mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) in Quanzhou, Fujian.

The two sides exchanged views candidly and constructively on the situation in the South China Sea. The Chinese side made solemn representations regarding the Philippines’ recent maritime-related infringements and provocations, and incitement and fabrications. It urged the Philippine side to act consistently, and to firmly return to the right track of handling maritime-related issues through dialogue and consultation, in order to create favorable conditions and an atmosphere for stabilizing bilateral relations.

The two sides discussed cooperation in areas such as maritime law enforcement and marine science and technology, and made positive progress. They agreed to strengthen communication and dialogue on matters related to the South China Sea, properly manage and control maritime situations, and steadily deepen pragmatic cooperation across all fields. Together with other ASEAN countries, they will fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, accelerate consultations on the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea,” and strive to reach an agreement on the “Code” at an early date, so as to jointly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Representatives from the diplomatic, defense, natural resources, and maritime police departments of China and the Philippines attended the meeting.