Former Philippine president and special envoy Fidel Ramos said Friday, following rounds of unofficial meeting with Chinese officials this week, that both Beijing and Manila want to hold formal discussions over maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
According to a joint press statement signed by Ramos and Fu Ying, China’s vice foreign minister, both sides agreed on the “need to engage in further talks to build trust and confidence to reduce tensions,” while China welcomed Ramos to visit Beijing as special envoy and Ramos expressed the Philippines’ desire to hold formal discussions with China at “the appropriate time”.
“They reiterated that they were pleased with the discussions and looked forward to the beginning of a process of formal discussions which will be continued in Beijing and Manila and other possible venues,” the statement read.
The Philippine delegation met with Fu and Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, whom Ramos said he wanted to meet, in Hong Kong on Wednesday and Thursday.
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