Makati city: The Philippines and China have reached a 'preliminary consensus' for the establishment of a roadmap aimed at managing tensions in the South China Sea, Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan disclosed during a media reception in Makati City. The discussion, as stated by the envoy, has been ongoing between the two countries' foreign ministries due to the increasing maritime disputes in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ambassador Jing emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue to resolve conflicts, which could otherwise harm the long-term relationship between the neighboring countries. "At present, our diplomats from the two sides are working toward this goal, and have already reached some consensus on a roadmap for the next stage of dialogue and negotiation," Jing elaborated.

The South China Sea, a crucial global trade route with potential vast oil reserves, has been a point of contention among China, the Philippines, and other Southeast Asian nations. Over the past year, several confrontations between China and the Philippines have occurred, involving aggressive actions by the Chinese Coast Guard against Filipino vessels.

As of now, both the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Chinese Embassy in Manila have not provided further details regarding the proposed roadmap.

In his speech, Jing also mentioned China's commitment to accelerate and conclude the negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea by the end of 2026, with the next round of talks scheduled for the first quarter of the year. "Consultations are becoming more frequent and more intensive," Jing noted, highlighting the shared desire to finalize the COC negotiations by the end of the year.

Jing urged all parties involved to maintain open communication channels, avoid provocative actions, and prevent the escalation of tensions while the COC is being finalized. As he assumes his role as the new Chinese ambassador to the Philippines, Jing expressed his dedication to serving as a bridge between the two nations to stabilize their relations.

"The South China Sea issue is only one portion of China-Philippines relations. We still need to have the bigger picture in mind," Jing stated, quoting President Marcos in emphasizing that differences should not define the bilateral relationship, suggesting they should be seen as exceptions rather than the norm.