Key facts
- The Philippine military rejected China's calls to restore direct communication channels.
- China warned that the absence of communication channels risks miscalculation and escalation in the South China Sea.
- The AFP stated that military-to-military communication channels with China were suspended three years ago due to continued provocative actions.
- The Chinese Embassy accused Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of suspending dialogue for political self-interest.
- Teodoro noted that the dialogue channel had been suspended for approximately three years.
The Philippine military has rejected calls from China to restore direct communication channels, despite warnings from Beijing that their absence risks "miscalculation" and could escalate tensions in the South China Sea. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stated on Tuesday that it would not communicate with its Chinese counterpart in advance of its maritime operations, arguing that such channels have been ineffective due to continued provocative and irresponsible actions by China's People's Liberation Army and China Coast Guard.