MANILA-BEIJING Hostilities IN SCS
China and the Philippines have been at odds with one another over a series of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, with Manila accusing Beijing of regional invasion and Manila of anger.
Mr. Manalo claimed that traditional trading partners like the United States and the European Union even support the Philippines ‘ right to assert its independence.  ,
They back our strategy of insisting on international law, upholding our right, and strengthening our partnerships. The behavior we are taking are extremely legal”, he said.  ,
Nonetheless, the minister said that while tensions cook, strategies remain for Manila and Beijing to work out their variations.
” Our vessels … have been ramped, there has been water cannoning, some of our fishermen have been shooed away from their traditional fishing area. He claimed that these are the difficulties we have constantly encountered with China.
He continued,” The goal is to see how we can control them peacefully,” noting that officials from both countries meet about twice a year to resolve problems.
He cited the Philippines ‘ relationship with Vietnam as an illustration of” the commitment to resolve disputes peacefully, and not through threats.”
Although the two countries have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, relations have improved over the years, according to Mr. Manalo.
” In fact, we are strategic lovers today. In the sea region, we have reached conceptions on how to improve our nautical cooperation”, he said.
” We’ve come to the conclusion that disputes may remain settled peacefully through political means and speech, with international law as the foundation.”
He added that speaking out about the China-China fight benefits both his nation and those in the area.
More and more nations are now realizing that it might be time to consider how faithfully we ( can ) implement the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, he said.