The Philippines and China are set to discuss their conflicting claims in the South China Sea today, days after President Duterte threatened to order the shooting of foreigners who would extract natural resources from the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the second meeting of the Philippine-China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea would be held in Manila and would tackle “contentious issues” of the longstanding maritime dispute.“The purpose of this BCM is to discuss issues of concern to either side and cooperation in the South China Sea and identify mutually acceptable approaches towards addressing this issue.

Romero, A. (2018, February 13). Phl, China tackle sea row today. The Philippines Star, p. 11.