China urged the Philippines to "seriously consider the future" of their relationship, which is "at a crossroads," in a Monday commentary published by the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party. The commentary comes amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. In recent months, both countries have accused each other of intentionally ramming coast guard vessels in the disputed waterway, including a violent incident in June where a Filipino sailor lost a finger. These incidents have overshadowed efforts by both nations to rebuild trust and manage confrontations more effectively, including establishing new communication channels to handle maritime disputes.
The commentary, which was published under the pen name "Zhong Sheng" (Voice of China), stated that "China-Philippines relations stand at a crossroads, facing a choice of which way to go." It emphasized that "dialogue and consultation is the right path, as there is no way out of the conflict through confrontation." The commentary urged Manila to "seriously consider the future of China-Philippines relations and work with China to push bilateral relations back on track."
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a region that includes parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The waterway, which sees $3 trillion worth of trade annually, is believed to be rich in oil, natural gas deposits, and fish stocks. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 that China's sweeping claims had no legal basis, a ruling that Beijing rejects. In June, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines' security after Manila accused China of a "deliberate action" to stop the resupply of Philippine troops stationed at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
In Monday's commentary, China blamed the Philippines for the "so-called 'humanitarian' problem" where Filipino sailors aboard what China considers "an illegally stranded ship" at nearby Sabina Shoal had no access to supplies. The commentary added that "the people aboard are absolutely allowed to leave."
