President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. directly raised concerns with Chinese Premier Li Qiang about recent violent encounters between Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea during a regional summit on Thursday. The meeting, which took place in Laos, saw heightened tensions over the disputed waterway as fears of conflict continue to grow.
The two leaders met alongside representatives of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following discussions dominated by the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar. Marcos emphasized that economic cooperation cannot be separated from political security, highlighting the urgency of resolving ongoing disputes in the South China Sea.
The meeting focused largely on trade, with Premier Li also discussing the lifting of sanctions on Australia’s lobster industry during a separate meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. However, Marcos underscored the importance of addressing political tensions, stating that ASEAN and China must face the realities of strained relations in the region.
Recent clashes, particularly between Chinese and Philippine vessels near the Spratly Islands, have raised concerns about the potential for escalation. Marcos urged for the acceleration of talks on a code of conduct for the South China Sea to prevent further incidents.
During the summit, ASEAN leaders reiterated their longstanding call for restraint and respect for international law. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned that the South China Sea remains a “live and immediate issue,” with the risk of accidents spiraling into broader conflict.
China’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea continues to be a source of tension, with competing claims from the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brunei. Despite an international ruling dismissing China’s sweeping territorial claims, Beijing has expanded its presence in the contested waters through military installations and the harassment of foreign vessels.
As tensions rise, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the region, expected to address the situation during his upcoming talks with ASEAN leaders.
