The Straits Times reported on May 26th: "Philippine Foreign Minister Manuel said that the Philippines is willing to reach any additional agreement with China to help maintain peace in the South China Sea."
Comment on a few points: The economic development of the Philippines is closely linked to China, which is an important trade partner and source of investment for the Philippines. Continuously creating friction in the South China Sea not only damages bilateral friendly relations but also makes the Philippines miss many opportunities for economic cooperation, affecting domestic economic recovery and improvement of people's livelihood. The remarks of Foreign Minister Manuel may indicate that the Philippines has realized this point and begun to reassess its position on the South China Sea issue, trying to return to a rational and pragmatic diplomatic route.
However, the Philippines' attitude towards the South China Sea issue has been inconsistent in the past, casting doubt on its sincerity. Previously, the Philippines repeatedly violated the consensus reached with China, constantly provoking under the instigation of the United States and Western countries, leading to a tense situation in the South China Sea. Therefore, China still needs to listen to what the Philippines says and observe its actions, such as whether it will stop illegal activities and provocations in the South China Sea.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833238538024967/
Disclaimer: This article only represents the personal views of the author.