China, Philippines to meet over West Philippine Sea

BEIJING—China and the Philippines, which exchanged verbal barbs recently over areas in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) they both claim, will meet this weekend to discuss their dispute.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin told reporters Thursday that diplomats will meet Saturday to discuss ways to ease tensions.

Earlier this month, Manila protested over three Chinese vessels that allegedly intruded into its waters in December. China called the accusations “groundless” and said China has indisputable sovereignty over the area.

Liu reiterated China’s position Thursday, saying it claims the area on historical grounds, and that the two sides should resolve the dispute through dialogue and negotiation.

China claims all of the West Philippine Sea, while Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines also have claims over potentially oil- and gas-rich territories.

Many fear the region could be Asia’s next flash point for conflict.

In a separate meeting, senior Chinese officials will meet with Southeast Asian nations in Beijing over the weekend to discuss implementation of an agreement aimed at safeguarding peace in the West Philippine Sea, Liu said.

The meeting between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations begins Friday.

It centers on a 2002 Asean-China declaration that calls on all claimants not to take steps that could spark tensions in the seas, which are crossed by vital shipping lanes.