MANILA, April 8 — Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has called on China today to talk to prevent more incidents like ramming vessels and the use of water cannons in the South China Sea.
He said the Philippines continues to talk with China and is exhausting all options to speak to Chinese leadership, so as not to heat up tensions in the waterway.
Marcos hopes the recently concluded joint maritime activity with Japan, Australia, and the United States (US) will reduce incidents at sea with China.
Yesterday, the four nations’ defence forces conducted a “maritime cooperative activity” involving five warships in the South China Sea.
Later this week, leaders of Japan, the US, and the Philippines will hold a summit in Washington to discuss issues like recent incidents in the South China Sea.
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
— Reuters
