Photo: Courtesy of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday reiterated China's consistent commitment in managing maritime disputes with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation, including those concerning Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef), responding to Philippine officials' denial of any “gentlemen's agreement” between China and the Philippines regarding the area, including a proposed "new model."

Lin emphasized that whether characterized as a gentlemen's agreement, internal understanding, or a "new model," all these actions underscore China's earnest efforts and sincerity in this regard.

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano issued separate statements on Sunday stating that “there was no discussion or briefing on any ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ or ‘new model’ and claims of ‘new model’ is absolutely absurd, ludicrous, and preposterous.”

Lin said during the press conference that China and the Philippines reached a "gentlemen’s agreement" after intensive communications and consultations at the end of 2021, which continued to be implemented by the current Philippine administration until February 2023, when the Philippines ceased to comply. 

The Chinese side in September 2023 invited the Philippine President's special envoy to China for consultations on the management of the situation at Ren'ai Jiao and reached an internal understanding, which was agreed to by the Philippine leadership and implemented once for the subsequent transportation and replenishment mission, after which it was abandoned by the Philippine side.

The Chinese side, through diplomatic channels, repeatedly negotiated with the western military region of the Philippines to reach a "new model" for the transportation and replenishment of Ren'ai Jiao at the beginning of this year, and the Philippine military has repeatedly affirmed that the "new model" has been agreed to by the entire chain of command, including the Minister of Defense and the National Security Adviser of the Philippines. 

Lin said that remarks made by the Philippine side cannot deny the objective fact that China and the Philippines have reached a "gentlemen's agreement" of internal understandings and a new model, and he emphasized that the above-mentioned understandings and consensus are aimed at managing differences, avoiding conflicts, building mutual trust and maintaining peace and stability of the area.

China urged the Philippine side to abide by the basic norms of international engagement, respect factual accuracy, uphold its commitments, refrain from violations and provocations, and return to the correct path of resolving differences through dialogue and consultation.

Global Times