China and the Philippines have agreed to establish a direct line of communication between their presidents to stop potential maritime clashes in the future.
The move comes as tensions between the two countries continue to rise over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
According to the agreement, an emergency telephone hotline may be utilized by Manila and Beijing’s heads of state or their designated representatives.
It can also connect the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to its Chinese counterpart to discuss appropriate actions during a clash.
“Both sides recognized that there is a need to restore trust, rebuild confidence, and create conditions conducive to productive dialogue and interaction,” the DFA stated, adding that both nations “affirmed their commitment to de-escalate tensions.”
China and the Philippines have established emergency hotlines in the past, but they were only meant for lower levels.
‘It’s Useless’
Former Philippine Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has expressed doubts that the new hotline could stop future confrontations.
He claimed that China rarely answered when the Philippines tried to use the emergency hotlines before.
Carpio also argued that reestablishing or elevating the direct line of communication should not be viewed as a positive development, and the Philippine government should not expect Beijing to respond in the future.
“We cannot be assured that if we call them, they will be there to answer. You have to take this with a grain of salt,” he told local media reporters. “They will answer only at the time of their choosing. So, it’s useless.”
Carpio suggested preparing arbitration cases against China instead and letting the international court decide.
Recent Maritime Clashes
China claims almost the entirety of the South China Sea, disregarding a 2016 international ruling that its stance has no legal basis.
The two sides have figured in a series of dangerous maritime clashes since then, including last month when Chinese coast guard personnel brandished knives, an axe, and other weapons at Filipino sailors.
Manila also said in 2023 that Chinese vessels fired water cannons at its boats and aggressively used military-grade lasers to threaten them.