MANILA — The Philippines said April 15 it remained locked in a stalemate with China over a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.
The statement came a day after the Philippine side reported that two Chinese vessels remained in Scarborough Shoal, just as the week-old standoff appeared to have eased.
Eight Chinese fishing vessels which sparked the standoff however had already left the area.
“The stalemate remains. Both sides are in touch with each other,” Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a brief statement.
He said Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario left Sunday for a week-long trip to the United States, and negotiations would be taken over by one of his top aides.
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