Philippines and China Seek to Lower South China Sea Tensions

Presidents Marcos and Xi discuss incidents between vessels and the plight of Filipino fishermen during APEC Summit.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ways to reduce tensions in the South China Sea.
Marcos voiced concern over incidents between Chinese and Philippine vessels, including one collision, and raised the plight of Filipino fishermen.
Filipino fishermen have complained that Chinese coastguard and maritime militia ships are preventing them from fishing in parts of the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
Marcos and Xi agreed that geopolitical problems should not be the defining element of the two countries' relationship.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, ignoring a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated Beijing's expansive claim.