Published May 24, 2021, 5:21 PM
Senator Richard J. Gordon on Monday revealed that high ranking Philippine and Chinese diplomatic officials met last Friday regarding the contentious West Philippine Sea (WPS) territorial dispute.
‘’I am cautiously optimistic that the bilateral meeting would result in the stopping of the unwelcome activities in the WPS by the Chinese naval assets,’’ Gordon said as Chinese militia assets just move in and around many reefs in the WPS despite a series of Philippine diplomatic protests.
‘’We are a friendly people but we don’t want to be threatened especially our hardworking fisherfolk,’’ Gordon said.
Senators have chided Chinese ‘’landgrabbing’’ activities in the WPS despite a United Nations arbitration court favoring a Philippine WPS territorial claim and rejecting China’s ‘’historical’’ claim.