Philippine defence chief says China talks ‘not possible’ as anti-spy laws loom

AI Summary

The Philippine defence chief, Gilberto Teodoro Jnr, stated that talks with China are currently 'not possible' amid mounting tensions over the South China Sea. He affirmed maintaining limited military communication channels but ruled out broader engagement unless China changes its stance.

For a man sanctioned by Beijing, barred from visiting China and accused of damaging bilateral ties, Gilberto Teodoro Jnr sounded remarkably composed. Composed, that is, until the conversation turned to the South China Sea – the very subject that landed him in hot water in the first place. In an interview this week, the Philippines’ defence chief said that Manila would keep only limited military communication channels open with Beijing, while ruling out broader engagement unless China changed its...