MANILA ¨C The Philippines rejects the ¡°use of force¡± to undermine its interests in the contested South China Sea but it does not want any conflict and has agreed with China to ease tensions in a contested shoal, officials said on Friday.
¡°We don¡¯t want war,¡± National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano told reporters in Manila.
Ano said efforts were underway to de-escalate tensions in the disputed waterway, where Manila and Beijing have accused each other of aggressive behavior involving their ships and of damaging the marine environment.
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