He said this week China just wants to be friends with the Philippines. The Philippines has monitored more than 200 Chinese boats near Thitu, also known as Pagasa in the Philippines, from January to March this year, according to military data. At times, they are just stationary.”The Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims of sovereignty in the busy South China Sea, a conduit for goods in excess of $3.4 trillion every year. Both sides reiterated that South China Sea issues should be resolved peacefully by parties directly involved, he said. Last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured the Philippines it would come to its defense if it came under attack in the South China Sea.

Source: bd News24 April 04, 2019 08:26 UTC