It will be a long journey to resolve the South China Sea dispute but the Philippines is ready to jumpstart a dialogue with China tomorrow to further ease the tension and prevent another standoff. Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Sta. Romana said the government will engage in a “frank and friendly” dialogue with China via the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) to manage the dispute and promote mutual trust and understanding. He will lead the Philippine delegation in the inaugural session of the BCM between the two countries tomorrow (May 19) in the southwest China on the sidelines of a regional summit in Guiyang City. Representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs will join the team.

Kabiling, G. D. (2017, May 18). PH-China hold first round of talks over disputed South China Sea Friday. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1,5.