China, Philippines agree to handle disputes ‘peacefully’, boost cooperation

Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (left) greets President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony in Beijing, on Jan 4. - Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters): China and the Philippines said in a joint statement on Thursday (Jan 5) they have agreed to set up a direct communications channel between their foreign ministries on the South China Sea to handle disputes peacefully.

The joint statement, which contained 14 agreements aimed at cooling security tensions and boosting economic cooperation, comes as both sides strive to mend a relationship hurt after the Philippines sought a 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.