Philippine military chief accuses China of ‘malign influence effort’

MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines’ military chief accused China of a “malign influence effort” on Wednesday, after a local newspaper reported a Filipino vice admiral had made a deal with Beijing to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea.

The Manila Times published what it said was a transcript of a phone conversation during which it said a Philippine admiral had agreed to China’s proposal of a “new model”, where the Philippines would use fewer vessels in resupply missions to troops at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, and notify Beijing about missions in advance.

Reuters has not heard the reported phone conversation and could not verify the contents of the published transcript. The Manila Times said the conversation had taken place in January and the transcript was provided by a “ranking Chinese official”, which it did not name.

The shoal has been a flashpoint for a series of heated confrontations between China’s coast guard and Philippine vessels in the past year, straining ties between the two neighbours. The Philippines has refused to heed China’s calls to steer clear of the area.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Wednesday said the embassy in Manila had released details about “relevant communications” between the two countries on managing the situation at the Second Thomas Shoal. Lin did not elaborate.

“The facts are clear and backed by hard evidence that cannot be denied,” Lin said in comments from a regular briefing shared by the embassy.

“The Philippines has insisted on denying these objective facts and seeks to mislead the international community.”

The two countries have been embroiled in a series of standoffs in disputed areas of the South China Sea as the Philippines.