Overview
- Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez says Manila aims to lower the temperature with Beijing and pursue cooperation in trade, climate and energy while firmly defending maritime claims.
- China’s foreign ministry says officials agreed in Cebu to maintain diplomatic communication, manage differences and bring the situation at sea under control.
- The Philippine foreign ministry urges the Chinese Embassy to keep statements constructive after senators passed a resolution that Beijing dismissed as a political stunt.
- Malacañang says the country will not be intimidated after China barred 16 Kalayaan Island Group officials from travel to the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, stressing reliance on legal and diplomatic measures.
- A leaked letter from Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro underscores internal debate over public confrontation versus quiet diplomacy in managing the South China Sea dispute.