China foreign minister Wang Yi met Philippine foreign minister Lazaro on the
22nd in Manila during East Asia foreign ministers' meetings and lodged a protest
after Philippine personnel collided with a Chinese law-enforcement vessel at
Ren'ai Reef. Wang said China seeks bilateral dialogue to manage territorial and
maritime disputes but accused the Philippines of abandoning bilateral channels
and, under the instigation of external forces, convening an ad hoc "tribunal"
that produced an illegal, invalid "ruling" China rejects and will not recognize.
He urged the Philippines to immediately halt maritime provocations and honor
prior commitments to help stabilize bilateral ties.
