Philippine says to be 'relentless' in protecting interests in South China Sea

A Philippine sailor suffered serious injury after what its military described as “intentional-high speed ramming“ by the Chinese coast guard on June 17. - PHOTO: REUTERS

MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines told China it will be "relentless" in protecting its interests and upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the South China Sea, its foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

But both countries recognised the need to "restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction," the Philippine foreign ministry said in a statement following the ninth meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea in Manila.