China urges Philippines to restrain officials, tread carefully on maritime issues
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Philippine counterpart that ties face malicious interference from some Filipino politicians, urging restraint and a consistent one-China policy. The two sides agreed to manage differences responsibly and reject provocations.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the Philippines to strengthen discipline over its officials and exercise caution on maritime issues, in a phone call with Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo on 3 November.
Wang, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the current bilateral relationship was facing malicious interference. He accused a small number of Filipino politicians of repeatedly attacking and smearing China out of political bias and personal interests, trampling on China's red lines. Such behaviour was irrational, intolerable, and damaged the Philippines' international image, he said.
Wang called on Manila to tighten restraint over relevant personnel and send a rational, unified voice on China policy. He stressed that China's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national reunification was unshakable, and demanded that the Philippines implement the one-China policy in practice and speak and act with caution on maritime issues.
According to a report by China's official Xinhua News Agency, the two sides reached a basic consensus on improving and developing Sino-Philippine relations. This included managing differences responsibly, striving to eliminate various internal and external sources of interference, and opposing any malicious provocations.
Manalo said the Philippines attaches great importance to ties with China and is willing to properly handle maritime and other issues through dialogue and consultation.