By Chloe Mari A. Hufana,Reporter
PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday expressed appreciation to outgoing Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, acknowledging his service in Manila while noting the little progress in resolving tensions in the South China Sea (SCS).
“It’s unfortunate we didn’t make much progress of the difficulties that we have in the South China Sea, West Philippine Sea,” he said during the ambassador’s farewell call in Malacañang.
“Considering how difficult the situation was, that we have managed to keep things at least away from too much problem,” he added.
Both countries have been engaged in a diplomatic standstill as China continues to harass Philippine vessels in the disputed waterway despite a 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of Manila.
Diplomacy lecturer at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde Josue Raphael J. Cortez said the Philippines and China have made progress since the Ramos administration’s adoption of the Declaration of Parties on the South China Sea, with the 2017 Bilateral Consultation Mechanism serving as a testament to their efforts to manage relations.
However, Beijing continues to disregard the 2016 Arbitral Award and Filipino fishing rights in the South China Sea, leaving much to be addressed, including the need for a binding Code of Conduct and respect for Manila’s territorial integrity, he noted.
Mr. Marcos aims to push for a legally binding Code of Conduct in the waterway when Manila assumes chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026.
While economic relations may deepen given the role of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Chinese state-owned enterprises, Beijing is unlikely to concede sovereignty, as this would be seen as weakness and undermine the Party’s credibility amid internal challenges and an unclear succession plan, Mr. Cortez added.
“However, concerning the dispute over the West Philippine Sea, the CCP would not easily give away and honor the sovereignty of the Philippines as it would also show ‘weakness’ for their part,” he said via Facebook Messenger.
“With no clear succession plan for the next Chinese regime, this is something that CCP would not want to happen: that they show respect for the country’s territorial integrity over the disputed waters, which in turn could further challenge the Party’s credibility given the internal challenges China currently faces.”
Mr. Huang has been China’s envoy to the Philippines since 2019. During his tenure, he was repeatedly summoned by the Department of Foreign Affairs to explain Beijing’s actions in the disputed territory.
