PH, China agree to ‘calmly deal’ with incidents in S. China SeaGolden State Warriors Mourn Loss of Assistant Coach Dejan Milojevic

MANILA: The Philippines and China have agreed to “calmly deal” with incidents in the South China Sea by improving their maritime communication mechanisms.

In a statement Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the measure, agreed upon during a bilateral consultation mechanism meeting in Shanghai on Wednesday, includes communications between the foreign ministries and coast guards of the two countries.

“The two sides had frank and productive discussions to de-escalate the situation in the South China Sea and both sides agreed to calmly deal with incidents, if any, through diplomacy,” the statement read.

‘They also agreed that continuous dialogue is important to keep peace and stability at sea.”

The DFA said both sides also presented their respective positions on the Ayungin Shoal and assured each other of mutual commitment to avoid the escalation of tensions.

To recall, a China Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine supply boat in October last year as the latter was on a regular rota
tion and resupply mission to the detachment manning the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

The two nations also agreed to initiate talks on possible academic exchanges on marine scientific research between Filipino and Chinese scientists.

The consultation is under the agreement between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and President Xi Jinping in San Francisco in November 2023 to ease and manage tensions in the South China Sea.

The agreement was followed by a phone call between Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yu in December 2023.

Source: Philippines News Agency

ANKARA: The Golden State Warriors confirmed the death of their assistant coach, Dejan Milojevic, at the age of 46. The Serbian basketball figure passed away on Wednesday, leaving the sports community in shock and sorrow.

According to Philippines News Agency, Milojevic suffered a heart attack during a private team dinner in Salt Lake City, Utah. The team expressed deep grief over the loss, emphasizing the profound impact Milojevic had on everyone associated with the franchise. In their tribute, the Warriors acknowledged his significant role in their recent successes, including the 2022 NBA title in his first season with the team. The NBA has postponed the Warriors’ scheduled game against the Utah Jazz as a mark of respect. Additionally, tributes and condolences have poured in from the Serbian basketball community and Milojevic’s former club, Galatasaray. Milojevic, a Belgrade native, was renowned for his playing career with Serbia’s Partizan, Spain’s Valencia Basket, and his contribution to Serbia’s EuroBasket victory in 2001.