Marcos: Lack of progress on West Philippine Sea ‘unfortunate’

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with outgoing Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian in a farewell call in Malacañang on Thursday, September 25, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Bongbong Marcos Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday described as “unfortunate” the Philippines and China’s lack of significant progress on issues concerning the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

He made the remark during the farewell call of outgoing Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian at Malacañang on Thursday. He had served as the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines since December 2019.

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“We will miss you. I think you have made a very good—you have made a very good second home over here in Manila,” Marcos told the envoy.

“It’s unfortunate we didn’t make much progress on the difficulties that we have in the South China Sea, West Philippine Sea. But I think, considering how difficult the situation was, that we have managed to keep things at least away from too much problem. Thank you for your service,” he also said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with outgoing Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian in a farewell call in Malacañang on Thursday, September 25, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Bongbong Marcos Facebook)

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The WPS is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. However, its sovereignty over the area remains under threat as China continues to disregard the 2016 international arbitral ruling that recognized the Philippines’ ownership of the WPS.

Last Tuesday, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said 12 Chinese vessels were monitored in key areas of the WPS over the past week, down from the usual 14 to 20 ships. /das