The Philippines and China may return to talks, but hopes for a breakthrough are low

Negotiations between China and the Philippines over their dispute in the South China Sea may take place in July. Analysts do not expect significant results in the upcoming talks between the two countries. Writes UNN with reference to South China Morning Post.

Details

Possible talks between China and the Philippines over their dispute in the South China Sea may take place in July, but are unlikely to lead to a breakthrough, even if they do help build trust between the two sides, observers say.

Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo said at a Senate hearing this week that the working group discussed the proposals earlier this month and Manila hopes that negotiations will be successful.

On Wednesday, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez also said that Manila wants the talks to take place "early next month," adding: "I don't think China wants to have a big conflict. And certainly we don't want to have one. So this is a good starting point.

China has not confirmed whether the talks will take place.

HelpHelp

China claims most of the South China Sea, but the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei have competing claims to this resource-rich waterway.

Expert comment

But Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines' Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said the main challenge for potential negotiations is to reach an acceptable modus vivendi that does not include "the regular use of coercion and unilateral imposition by China on the Philippines.

Unless China recognizes that the Philippines has its own national interests and removes the obstacles, the Philippines will naturally and logically continue to turn to its allies, partners and friends in the international community to resist coercive pressure from China

Recall

The Chinese Navy seized a Taiwanese fishing vesselthat was operating near islands controlled by Taiwan.