MICHAELA DEL CALLAR
The Philippines on Thursday said it views with “guarded optimism” China’s pledge to ensure freedom of navigation in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a meeting in Beijing on Wednesday that China supports unimpeded access to the strategic waters, where the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have competing claims.
China’s assurance appeared to have met skepticism from Manila, which asked Beijing to clarify its statement.
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