ESCUDERO WANTS MARCOS, XI TO RESUME TALKS

AMID the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Senate President Francis Escudero on Tuesday said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping need to continue their dialogues and devise a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the maritime problem.

"Reducing tensions in the WPS depends on the mutual actions or initiatives of both countries' executive branches. Since the head of state is the primary architect of a country's foreign policy, we must collaborate and find a solution to the dispute that is acceptable to both parties," Escudero said.

The increasing maritime tension has come to light after clashes between personnel of Chinese and Philippine vessels in the disputed sea, which has caught regional and global attention.

High-seas confrontations have intensified as the Marcos administration embarked on a new policy involving a more assertive stance to counter China's maritime assertiveness, bolstering Manila's defense alliance with the US despite repeated warnings from Beijing.

Manila has also expanded its network of security partnerships — including with Japan, Australia, India and the European Union — and dialed up protests against what it says is Beijing's aggressive behavior in the disputed waters.

2024-07-02T16:11:56Z dg43tfdfdgfd