PH, China agree to uphold ‘provisional arrangement’ for Ayungin RORE

MANILA – The Philippine and Chinese governments have agreed to continue honoring the “provisional arrangement” for the country’s unhampered rotation and resupply (RORE) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal during their latest bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM), according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The two governments, represented by DFA Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong, convened the 10th BCM meeting in Xiamen City in China’s southeastern province of Fujian on Thursday.

During the meeting, the two officials had “frank and constructive discussions” on the situation in the South China Sea. They took note of the “positive outcomes” of the provisional understanding of the Philippine RORE in Ayungin Shoal.

The DFA said the two sides “agreed to continue its implementation to sustain the de-escalation of tensions without prejudice to respective national positions”.

“Our position is clear and consistent, but so is our willingness to engage in dialogue. We firmly believe that despite the unresolved challenges and differences, there is genuine space for diplomatic and pragmatic cooperation in dealing with our issues in the South China Sea,” Lazaro said in her opening remarks.

On the other hand, the Philippines expressed serious concern over recent incidents in the South China Sea, particularly the activities of the Chinese Coast Guard’s vessel 5901 or its so-called “monster ship,” as well as the CCG vessel 3103 in Philippine maritime zones.

The Philippine delegation raised that the vessels’ activities are “inconsistent with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act”.

Meanwhile, the DFA said the two sides have agreed to “reinvigorate the platform for coast guard cooperation” and also identified ocean meteorology as an area of focus for a workshop on marine scientific cooperation.

From her end, Lazaro underscored that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has emphasized Manila’s commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.

The DFA said the Philippines will host the next BCM later. (PNA)