The South China Sea issue will not come up at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Manila this week, a commitment made by the Philippines during China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit there last Tuesday.
According to Philippine Foreign Ministry spokesman Charles Jose, the country will endeavor on their side to "do everything possible that Mr. Xi's visit will be safe, comfortable and productive," while noting that South China Sea will not appear on the APEC agenda because the summit is not the "proper forum" to discuss this issue.
Manila used to seize every chance to make a complaint against China at major regional or international events. Its promise this time is therefore a big transition, yet a wise and rational choice.
APEC is primarily a leaders' meeting to discuss the regional trade and financial cooperation, not security issues. Hence it is natural that there would be no discussion of the South China Sea at the forum.
If the Philippines raised the issue regardless of the mechanism, its act can only be explained as a violation of the rules.
Moreover, Manila is only a host city of the APEC forum, and it has no right to set the agenda for the leaders' meeting, which should be discussed and agreed by all of the 21 members.
In addition, the escalating tensions over the South China Sea issue have already made each side realize that the last thing they need is to keep hyping up the rift, for it will do nobody any good. In light of this, the Philippines must reconsider how to behave in order not to go too far.
As the host country of this year's APEC meeting, the Philippines is keen to organize the event successfully.
If any of the leaders from the 21 members refuses to attend, Manila will more or less fall into disgrace, for such a regional forum is a test for the country's diplomacy. On that score, it should bear in mind not to embarrass the others, including China, at this critical moment.
The Philippines' statement embodied its positive attitude toward the disputes and divergences between Beijing and Manila.
If Manila does not raise the issue, there is no reason for other nations, including Japan and the US, to bring it up. Otherwise, they will be publicly causing trouble for China, which not only is an irresponsible act, but will also lead to a negative impact on their own national image.
Although there are bitter disputes over the South China Sea between Beijing and Manila, it is only a small part of the big picture of Sino-Philippine ties. The two countries share quite a few overlaps and common interests in East Asian cooperation and collaboration under the ASEAN framework. China is one of the Philippines' largest trading partners, as well as sources of investment. The latter's economic development can hardly go on smoothly without the support from the former.
On the other hand, China will also not negate the entire Beijing-Manila relationship due to the frictions over the South China Sea.
The clock is ticking on toward the 2016 Philippine presidential election, and both sides are looking forward to establishing healthy relations with each other by then. Neither of them is expecting to breach bilateral ties because of maritime disputes.
In terms of the Philippine government, a notable feature is that a new cabinet and new administration will be bound to make some adjustments to the previous government's policies. For the moment, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III is taking quite a tough attitude toward China over the South China Sea issue.
Whoever gets elected, the country's current policy will be certain to undergo some changes. If so, the tension over sea disputes, as well as the chill between the two nations, may be reduced.
The author is director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center at China Foreign Affairs University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn