President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has stated that the Philippines is considering a “paradigm shift” in its approach to China regarding the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue. President Marcos expressed concern that China’s recent aggression and harassment in the WPS have rendered the traditional methods of diplomacy ineffective.
In an interview with Japanese media, President Marcos emphasized the need for a new approach to dealing with China, as the current efforts have shown little progress. He described the current diplomatic efforts as heading in a poor direction.
President Marcos highlighted that the situation in the WPS will not improve if the Philippines continues to engage with China in the same manner. He emphasized the importance of formulating new concepts, principles, and ideas to bring about a paradigm shift in their approach.
The Philippines has taken three legal steps, including filing a diplomatic protest, summoning the Chinese Ambassador, and making a demarche, to address China’s actions in the WPS. President Marcos stated that the Philippines will continue to engage with its partners in the Indo-Pacific region and the rest of the world to de-escalate tensions in the area.
When asked about the specific paradigm shift the Philippine government is considering, President Marcos mentioned that there are numerous ideas under discussion. The government will continue to hold talks with its partners to establish a joint position regarding their responsibilities in the WPS.
President Marcos stressed the urgency of swiftly addressing the WPS issue, as it is already affecting the livelihoods of Filipino fishermen. He was in Japan to attend the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Relations.
Source: PhilNews24 | December 19, 2023
