China says Philippines ignored South China Sea proposal as tensions rise - BBC News

Philippine President Marcos says Manila did not reject the offer, which he called "questionable".

7 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Tensions in the shoals have escalated in recent months, with Chinese and Philippine vessels collidingBy Joel GuintoBBC NewsChina says the Philippines ignored proposals it put forward to "manage" their dispute in the South China Sea.

An unnamed senior Chinese official told news outlet the Manila Times that the deal was "met with inaction by the Marcos administration".

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said they did not reject the deal, but said it stood on a "questionable" premise.

The South China Sea is at the centre of a territorial dispute between China, the Philippines and other countries.

But tensions between Manila and Beijing have sharply escalated in recent months. At the heart of it is a decaying ship on Second Thomas Shoal that the Philippines have purposely marooned to reinforce its claim in the shoal.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-68542088

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