Philippines rejects China’s calls for direct contact amid ‘miscalculation’ warnings

The Philippine military has rejected calls to restore direct communication channels with its Chinese counterpart, despite warnings from Beijing that their absence risks “miscalculation” during confrontations and could further escalate tensions in the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said it would not communicate with its Chinese counterpart in advance of its maritime operations, arguing that such channels were ineffective without mutual respect for international law.

Retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, spokesman for the military’s operations in waters the Philippines considered its territory, said the channels had failed to improve trust, accusing Beijing of using them as a “smokescreen” for what Manila regarded as coercive and aggressive conduct.

He also said the Philippine military supported Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro’s decision to suspend direct communication channels with China.