China urges Philippines to 'honour commitments'
Beijing on Saturday said that top diplomat Wang Yi had said China will "respond resolutely" to any violation by the Philippines of a recent deal to calm tensions between the two countries in the South China Sea. Wang on Friday called on the Philippines to "honour its commitments" under the deal rather than "backtracking or creating complications", according to a readout of his meeting with Philippine foreign secretary Enrique Manalo at an Asean gathering in Laos. "Otherwise, China will definitely respond resolutely," he said. Wang said China has recently reached a temporary arrangement with the Philippines on the transportation and replenishment of humanitarian supplies to Ren'ai Jiao in order to maintain the stability of the maritime situation. Speaking to reporters late on Friday, Manalo said he hoped Beijing would keep its side of the bargain. "I think that would be an important step forward in diffusing tensions and hopefully lead to other areas of cooperation on the South China Sea," Manalo said. Wang also warned the Philippines over the deployment of US intermediate-range missiles, saying such a move could fuel regional tensions and spark an arms race. The US deployed its Typhon missile system to the Philippines as part of joint military drills earlier this year. It was not fired during the exercises, a Philippine military official later said, without giving details on how long it would stay in the country. Wang and Manalo met in Laos capital Vientiane, host of an Asean foreign ministers meeting. US top diplomat Antony Blinken arrived in Laos on Saturday for talks with Asean foreign ministers and will also meet Wang. (AFP/Reuters)