DND chief meets with Chinese counterpart

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and China have reiterated the need for peaceful resolution of maritime dispute at a bilateral meeting between the two countries’ defense chiefs.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe yesterday discussed, among other issues, tensions in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea, especially how to peacefully handle the situation.

The Department of National Defense (DND) announced that the officials talked about ways to avoid misunderstandings and to resolve differences amicably.

Both agreed that peace and stability in the South China Sea should be maintained and that there is a need for an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Lorenzana expressed optimism that his meeting with Wei would foster greater collaboration between the two countries’ defense establishments, and advance mutual trust and interests for future exchanges on matters of security and other concerns.

He shared that he and Wei also discussed several other key issues affecting the defense organizations of both the Philippines and China.

“Today marks the most recent visit of China’s Minister of National Defense to the Philippines following similar visits in 2002, 2007, 2011 and 2017,” he said.

The DND announced that a ceremonial signing for a RMB130 million worth of humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) equipment from China was also held during the meeting. Lorenzana also thanked Wei for China’s help in the Philippines’ HADR response.

“I understand that this is the fourth since 2017 and largest military gratis that China will be providing for the Philippines,” he said.