‘China supports back-channel talks on West Philippine Sea tension’A China Coast Guard ship passes near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday. “He agreed that it should always be like that – having meetings to further advance better relations between Philippines and China,” Tulfo, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, said. Furthermore, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the China Coast Guard (CCG) is expected to be revived by the end of March. “Instead of engaging in hostilities in the West Philippine Sea, they will have cooperation in patrol, search and rescue, cleanup. Definitely, it will be the People’s Republic of China,” Tarriela said.

Source: Philippine Star February 23, 2026 16:31 UTC