Philippines stands firm on Sabina Shoal but looks to ease tension with China

12/9/2024 11:56

        The Philippines will stick to its position on Sabina Shoal, it said on Thursday, even while exploring ways to ease tension in the area during "frank and candid" talks with China on managing disputes in the key waterway of the South China Sea.
        
        The Southeast Asian nation's sustained presence at the feature, aiming to monitor what it suspects to be China's small-scale reclamation activities has angered Beijing, turning the shoal into their latest flashpoint in the contested waters.
        
        During Wednesday's meeting of officials in Beijing, China vowed to "firmly uphold its sovereignty" and reiterated a demand for the immediate withdrawal of a Philippine coast guard ship anchored at the shoal since April.
        
        The Philipine foreign ministry said in its statement, the two had a frank and candid exchange of views.
        
        The Sabina Shoal, which China refers to as Xianbin Reef, and Manila as Escoda Shoal, lies 150 km west of the Philippine province of Palawan, well within its exclusive economic zone.