The Daily Tribune
Manila, Beijing hold talks over WPS tensions
The Philippines and China are holding their first Bilateral Consultation Meeting (BCM) this year in Xiamen to discuss various topics, including Beijing's deployment of its large vessel within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo confirmed that the meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 16.
The Philippines will raise concerns over recent developments in the West Philippine Sea, including the presence of the China Coast Guard vessel 5901, dubbed the "monster ship" due to its massive size.
The "monster ship" was recently sighted approximately 54 nautical miles off Capones Island in Zambales, and was replaced by another CCG ship after more than a week in the area.
Despite raising concerns, the BCM is also aimed at promoting cooperation between the two states, including in environmental efforts and potential coast guard-to-coast guard collaboration.
Any coast guard cooperation would require a memorandum of understanding between the two entities and would be cooperative in nature.
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The Philippines has expressed hope for cooperation between its Coast Guard and China's Coast Guard, which was a topic of discussion in an upcoming bilateral meeting.
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The Philippines formally requested China to withdraw the China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, nicknamed the "monster ship," from Philippine waters near Zambales, citing it as a provocative act intended to intimidate Filipino fishermen and normalize China's illegal presence in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
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The Philippines and China have agreed to continue rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal to help de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
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The Philippines, through the National Maritime Council (NMC), has filed a diplomatic protest against China's continued illegal presence and activities in the West Philippine Sea, violating Philippine Maritime Zones Act, UNCLOS, and the 2016 Arbitral Ruling.
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The China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901, nicknamed the "monster ship," is currently located 95 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
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