SAN FRANCISCO, California – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday (US time) said he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this week to discuss the plight of the fishermen in the South China Sea.

In a roundtable meeting with the Philippine media delegation here, Marcos told reporters that he and Xi had agreed that the problems in the disputed waters should not be the defining element of their relationship.

However, he also acknowledged that the problems remain and that there is a need to continue to communicate about them.

"We were in agreement that the problems that we have in South China Sea with China should not be the defining element of our relationship," Marcos said.

"But nonetheless, the problems remain and it is something that we need to continue to communicate, to find ways to avoid such incidents, and of course, as ever, whenever this issue comes up, I always bring up the plight of the fishermen," Marcos said.

Marcos said that he had requested the meeting with Xi in order to voice his concerns about the incidents that have been happening between Chinese vessels and Filipino fishermen in the South China Sea. These incidents have culminated in an actual collision, which Marcos said he hoped to avoid in the future.

"We try to come up with the mechanisms to lower the tensions in the SCS," Marcos said. "And that's essentially the message of what we spoke of to each other."

Marcos acknowledged that changing China's narrative on the South China Sea would be a difficult task, but he said that he hoped that his meeting with Xi would be a step in the right direction.

"We really should view this as a work in progress," Marcos said. "It's a process. There is not one thing that we can do that will solve all the problems. We have to continue to communicate, we have to continue to be candid with one another, and to be sincere in our desire to keep the peace."

Marcos said that he believed that both sides wanted to avoid war and that this was a good foundation for further discussions.

"I do not think anybody wants to go to war," Marcos said.

Open Communication, Sincerity in Efforts to Ease SCS Tensions Needed

Marcos also underscored the importance of open communication and sincerity in addressing tensions in the SCS.

He acknowledged the existence of differing narratives surrounding China's actions in the SCS but maintained that both parties must remain committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution.

"We really should view this as a work in progress," Marcos stressed. "It's a process. There is no one thing that we can do that will solve all the problems."

The President emphasized the need for continued communication and transparency, stating, "We have to continue to be candid with one another and to be sincere in our desire to keep the peace."

Marcos expressed optimism that his face-to-face meeting with Xi would contribute to a more peaceful environment in the SCS, recognizing the importance of maintaining open sea lanes for trade and navigation.

"I do not think anybody wants to go to war," Marcos asserted, highlighting the shared interest in maintaining regional stability.

While Marcos acknowledged the challenges posed by differing narratives, he maintained that the two countries must persevere in their efforts to find common ground and promote peaceful coexistence.

Marcos also said that he believed that his face-to-face meeting with Xi had been a positive step.

"It's a process, and this is part of the process," Marcos reiterated. "I talked to President Xi face-to-face and that always makes a difference," he said.