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PH, China conclude 'productive' 5th BCM meeting in Beijing

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

October 29, 2019, 8:37 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine and Chinese governments have agreed on Monday to address its disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) on a "positive and constructive attitude" as they both exchanged views on the general conditions on the ground in its fifth meeting for the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on SCS (BCM).

"In a frank and friendly manner, both sides had exchanges on the general situation and issues of concern in the South China Sea and maritime issues between the Philippines and China. Both sides acknowledged the importance of addressing the differences in the South China Sea and reviewed progress on maritime cooperation in various fields," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a press statement on Tuesday.

"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to properly address disputes in a positive and constructive attitude, and their commitment to continue to explore and undertake practical maritime cooperation initiatives, and by so doing, promote mutual trust and confidence," it added.

The Working Groups on Political Security, Fisheries Cooperation, and Marine Scientific Research and Marine Environmental Protection of the BCM were also convened.

During the meeting, Manila and Beijing had "considered to undertake mutually agreed practical maritime cooperation initiatives" including maritime search and rescue, maritime safety, and marine research or marine environment protection and fisheries cooperation in the South China Sea.

The meeting came a few months after President Rodrigo Duterte undertook an official visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to the DFA, both governments during the BCM were encouraged by the "good momentum" in the two nations' relations highlighted by this recent meeting.

As they hailed the BCM as an effective venue to discuss the contentious SCS issue, the two sides also recognized the importance of other complementary bilateral and multilateral platforms in maintaining regional peace and stability including Asean-China Dialogue Relations, the Asean Regional Forum, and the East Asia Summit.

"Both sides reiterated the importance of the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and their commitment to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC)," the DFA said.

From its end, the agency sees the fifth BCM meeting as "productive".

The sixth meeting of the BCM is scheduled in the Philippines early in the first half of 2020, with the exact date and place to be determined and mutually agreed upon through diplomatic channels.

The Philippine delegation was led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo while the Chinese delegation was led by Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui. The delegations from both sides were comprised of officials from the respective foreign ministries and relevant agencies. (PNA)

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