NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
President Urges Paradigm Shift In Diplomacy In WPS
Photo credit: Jay Tarriela
In a recent interview with Japanese media, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared the need for a "paradigm shift" in the Philippines' approach towards China due to continuous disregard of traditional diplomatic methods.
Marcos emphasized the necessity of devising new strategies, stating that current efforts show "very little progress" in addressing China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Describing the existing diplomatic direction as "in a poor direction," Marcos expressed dissatisfaction with the prolonged use of conventional methods such as sending notes verbals and démarches, stressing the urgency of exploring innovative concepts to reverse the current trajectory.
The President highlighted that the situation in the WPS won't improve if the Philippines continues dealing with China in the same manner.
Despite taking legal steps, including diplomatic protests and summoning the Chinese Ambassador, the recent incident involving the China Coast Guard water cannoning Philippine vessels underscores the need for a reevaluation of diplomatic approaches.
The President affirmed the Philippines' commitment to dialogue with Indo-Pacific partners and the global community to de-escalate tensions. He cautioned against reaching a point where incidents could lead to violent conflicts, urging a collective "paradigm shift" among involved countries to redirect the course towards peace.
When pressed about specific shifts, Marcos mentioned ongoing discussions with partners to formulate a joint position on responsibilities in the WPS. Emphasizing the need to disengage from the current path, he stressed the importance of promoting peace while determining each country's role in achieving it.
The President underscored the urgency of swift action, citing the impact on Filipino fishermen's livelihoods. During his visit to Japan for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Relations, he called for a comprehensive plan to navigate towards peace, steering away from potential conflicts in the region.
Marcos emphasized the necessity of devising new strategies, stating that current efforts show "very little progress" in addressing China's aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Describing the existing diplomatic direction as "in a poor direction," Marcos expressed dissatisfaction with the prolonged use of conventional methods such as sending notes verbals and démarches, stressing the urgency of exploring innovative concepts to reverse the current trajectory.
The President highlighted that the situation in the WPS won't improve if the Philippines continues dealing with China in the same manner.
Despite taking legal steps, including diplomatic protests and summoning the Chinese Ambassador, the recent incident involving the China Coast Guard water cannoning Philippine vessels underscores the need for a reevaluation of diplomatic approaches.
The President affirmed the Philippines' commitment to dialogue with Indo-Pacific partners and the global community to de-escalate tensions. He cautioned against reaching a point where incidents could lead to violent conflicts, urging a collective "paradigm shift" among involved countries to redirect the course towards peace.
When pressed about specific shifts, Marcos mentioned ongoing discussions with partners to formulate a joint position on responsibilities in the WPS. Emphasizing the need to disengage from the current path, he stressed the importance of promoting peace while determining each country's role in achieving it.
The President underscored the urgency of swift action, citing the impact on Filipino fishermen's livelihoods. During his visit to Japan for the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Relations, he called for a comprehensive plan to navigate towards peace, steering away from potential conflicts in the region.
Dec 19, 2023
