Incoming Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. believes that tensions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) can only be eased if the Philippines holds bilateral talks with China. In a chance interview shortly after his meeting with outgoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras on Monday, Yasay said it is time for the Philippines and China to resume bilateral negotiations. “We have always been pursuing this, and I don’t see why we should stop it,” he added. “This is necessary. I don’t think there is any other way of resolving this except talking to each other,” Yasay said.

Delizo, M. J. T. (2016, May 31). PH-China talks seen easing sea tensions. Manila Times, pp. A1, A2.