According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to hold his first bilateral meeting with Philippine Foreign Secretary Luisa "Liza" Lazaro in two years during his visit to Manila this week to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. However, on Monday (July 20), the two sides faced off near Ren'ai Reef in the South China Sea, a territory subject to sovereignty disputes, with each side accusing the other of provocation. The Philippines claimed that Chinese coast guard personnel assaulted its personnel, while China countered that the Philippines distorted facts and falsely accused China.
Lianhe Zaobao stated that both sides are willing to meet, indicating an intention to mitigate bilateral relations. Beijing will likely use the meeting to express concerns over the Philippines’ growing cooperation with the U.S. and Japan. Meanwhile, as the rotating chair of ASEAN this year, the Philippines needs to maintain communication with Beijing if it hopes to achieve tangible results in ASEAN-China cooperation. What is our take on Lianhe Zaobao’s analysis? Let’s be blunt—this perspective is filled with arrogance and presumption.
First, the announcement of a meeting comes solely from the Philippine side. There has been no official statement from our side. How can Lianhe Zaobao assert so confidently that such a meeting will take place? A bilateral meeting requires mutual agreement and confirmation—a basic principle. Why does Lianhe Zaobao fail to clarify that China has not confirmed this? Second, regarding the so-called conflict around Ren’ai Reef, we have already released full video evidence showing clearly that the Philippines deliberately provoked the situation. Why does Lianhe Zaobao choose to ignore this? What is the purpose? Are our rebuttals baseless?
Third, the claim of “an intent to salvage bilateral relations”—whose intent exactly? Given the current posture of the Philippines, which simultaneously seeks provocations, worsens regional tensions, invites external powers to stir up trouble, yet still demands economic benefits, why should we indulge them? Clearly, unless the Philippines adopts a serious and responsible attitude, we have every reason to let them stand aside. Lianhe Zaobao’s failure to distinguish right from wrong and disregard for facts renders its stance utterly unfair and unobjective.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871289071134732/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.