Opinion | South China Sea: despite clashes, Beijing and Manila must keep talking

Just weeks after one of the most violent incidents between the Philippines and China, high-level diplomats from both sides met in Manila to de-escalate rising tensions. The ninth round of the bilateral consultation mechanism was a welcome respite, given a string of close calls in contested waters. Although expectations remain low, the talks put a momentary pause on an otherwise dangerous downward turn between the two countries.

Since its first meeting in 2017, the consultation mechanism has been a regular channel for handling maritime disputes. The meetings occurred frequently until the Covid-19 pandemic, but no high-level visits have followed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s trip to Beijing in January 2023.

Last year, a consultation mechanism meeting was convened a month after the Philippine coastguard alleged its Chinese counterpart had pointed a military-grade laser that temporarily blinded some of the former’s crew. In the months following, a stand-off and a collision occurred in the Second Thomas Shoal.

In September, the Philippine coastguard removed a floating barrier put up by the Chinese coastguard in the Scarborough Shoal that blocked access by Filipino fishers. In November and December, Manila said the Chinese coastguard employed water cannons against Filipino supply ships bound for the Second Thomas Shoal.

The lack of timely diplomatic intervention allowed the maritime tiff to fester and poison overall ties. Talking does not resolve everything, but not talking can make it worse. The lack of high-level exchange comes amid a legislative probe of previous arrangements to soothe tensions allegedly reached during the Duterte administration. Such crucifixion of dispute management, coupled with low mutual trust and the absence of effective hotline communications, set the stage for more dangerous clashes.