MANILA, April 4 (ChinaMil) -- China and the Philippines convened the Fourth Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea in Manila, the Philippines on April 3, 2019, respectively led by Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou on the Chinese side, and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Meynardo LB. Montealegre of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs on the Philippines side. The two delegations were composed of the equivalent officials from respective foreign ministries and relevant agencies of both sides.

In the Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of the Philippines issued on November 21, 2018, both sides agreed to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities in the South China Sea that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. Both sides believed that BCM has played an important role in promoting the stable development of bilateral relations by exploring measures to increase mutual trust, properly handling differences, preventing and controlling maritime incidents, and continuously enhancing dialogue and cooperation

Both sides exchanged frank, friendly and constructive views on current issues of mutual concern, such as the South China Sea situation and maritime activities, agreed to hold on cooperative attitude to solve problems, and emphasized to continue cooperation and to negotiate on confidence-building measures.

In addition, both sides reiterated that the relevant differences between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea is only part of the bilateral ties and should not affect the mutually beneficial cooperation in other fields. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting regional peace and stability, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the South China Sea. Both sides reiterated their commitment to address their territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to or threatening with force, through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations (also known as the UN Charter) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) adopted and signed in 1982.

Both sides have carried out fruitful exchanges on strengthening maritime cooperation through setting up technical working group meetings under the frame work of BCM. Relevant fields include the development of the political security situation in the South China Sea, maritime search and rescue, maritime safety, maritime scientific research, maritime environmental protection, and fishery. Without prejudice to each other’s position on sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, the two sides discussed cooperation in oil and gas development as well.

Both sides reiterated their commitments to full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and agreed to maintain the positive momentum of the negotiations towards the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, based on consensus.

The fifth meeting of the BCM will be held in China in the second half of 2019.