Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.\u00a0said on Friday (14\/8) that\nthe plan to \u2018reset\u2019 relations with China is aimed at easing tensions and\npreventing misunderstandings that could trigger conflict.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Foreign Correspondents\nAssociation of the Philippines in Manila, Marcos said the reset means\nreturning to dialogue whenever tensions between Manila and Beijing begin\nto rise, according to the Philippine News Agency.<\/p>\n
\u2018This is a reset in the sense that if we begin to detect or feel an\nincrease or escalation of tensions, then we must go back to talking with\nour counterparts in China,\u2019 Marcos said.<\/p>\n
He said Manila wants to reduce the risk of errors or\nmisunderstandings between Philippine vessels and crew and China amid\nrecurring tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea.<\/p>\n
Marcos also mentioned that discussions on possible joint oil and gas\nexploration with China have made progress, with both sides drafting\nterms of reference.<\/p>\n
Asked whether such exploration could begin during his term, he\nreplied: \u2018Of course.\u2019<\/p>\n
Separately, Marcos expressed his intention to support a candidate in\nthe 2028 presidential election who can continue his administration\u2019s\nprogrammes, but added that it is still too early to determine who his\nsuccessor will be.<\/p>\n
\u2018We will choose the best candidate who can continue what we have\nstarted,\u2019 he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/marcos-seeks-to-reset-philippines-china-relations-ease-tensions-1786798460", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }