PBBM says Xi vows to find solution to allow Filipinos to resume fishing in West Philippine Sea
Chinese President Xi Jinping committed to find a solution to prevent misunderstandings in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brought up the issue of allowing Filipino fishermen to resume fishing in the disputed waters.
Marcos said that he and Xi had agreed to find a compromise that would be beneficial to Filipino fishermen.
“I was very clear in trying to talk about the plight of our fishermen. And the President promised that we would find a compromise and find a solution that will be beneficial so our fishermen might be able to fish again in their natural fishing ground,” Marcos said of his discussion with Xi.
Marcos is in Beijing, China for a state visit on January 3-5, 2023.
The two nations inked an agreement for the creation of a communication mechanism on maritime issues between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China during Marcos’ state visit to Beijing.
This agreement aims to avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications in the West Philippine Sea.
Over the years diplomatic protests have been filed by the Philippines over the alleged harassment by the Chinese of Filipino fishermen.
Netizens slammed what they perceived as the Philippine government’s kowtowing to China by not asserting its rights over the WPS. They insist that the WPS belongs to the Philippines, and because of this, Filipinos do not need Chinese permission to fish in their own waters.
