The Philippines and China have mutually committed to advancing friendly and pragmatic cooperation in various fields in order to further safeguard the peace and stability in the South China Sea. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said this relationship accords with the common interests of the two countries and peoples as well as the shared aspirations of the regional countries. It is a choice between a peaceful and non-confrontational approach and that which is adversarial when confronted with the question of which approach will yield greater economic and political gains for the country including the long-term security and stability in the region, said Sta. Romana.

Mabasa, R. C. (2017, July 14). PH, China committed to advancing friendly cooperation in disputed sea. Manila Bulletin, p. 4.