Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is advocating for a 'reset' in the Philippines' diplomatic relations with China, following recent confrontations in the West Philippine Sea. In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan at Malaca±ang, Marcos emphasized the need to prevent further incidents and foster improved engagement between the two nations.

According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting, which lasted 80 minutes, was convened after an alleged assault by the China Coast Guard (CCG) on Philippine Navy personnel near Ayungin Shoal resulted in injuries to at least two Filipino servicemen. Marcos summoned the ambassador in response to these developments, which also coincided with the circulation of a controversial AI-generated video by Chinese state media portraying Filipinos negatively.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a press briefing, revealed that the President expressed a desire to avoid a recurrence of such incidents and to reset bilateral relations. However, she did not disclose detailed discussions from the meeting, stating that there were exchanges of views and suggestions but refraining from elaborating on specifics.

Questions arose during the briefing regarding China's claim that the Philippines violated a supposed agreement related to the operations at Ayungin Shoal. Castro challenged this assertion, indicating that Malaca±ang has requested Beijing to provide the document in question. The last public agreement involved an alleged 'secret deal' about the status of the BRP Sierra Madre, which Castro clarified was not made under the current administration.

The BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded vessel at Ayungin Shoal, serves as a military outpost for the Philippines, and its status has been a recurring point of contention between the two countries. The latest confrontation led to renewed diplomatic protests from the Philippines, drawing condemnation from the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Department of Foreign Affairs.