Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings at the Philippine International Convention Center.

They had a candid, comprehensive and constructive discussion on the overall state of Philippines-China relations, including political and security matters, maritime and law enforcement issues, regional and international developments, and mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.

Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining open channels of communication, enhancing mutual understanding, and strengthening confidence-building measures. They highlighted the progress of the negotiations on the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct, and the continued willingness to work together to conclude the negotiations of the COC this year. The two sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region, reducing the risk of miscalculation, and sustaining dialogue on matters of mutual concern.

Lazaro reiterated the Philippines’ strong protest over the violent actions committed by China Coast Guard personnel against Filipino navy personnel at Ayungin Shoal on July 20. She conveyed the Philippines’s consistent and principled positions on the South China Sea, and raised concerns over actions that have infringed on the maritime rights and entitlements, including incidents affecting the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, and reiterated the removal of remaining structures in Bajo de Masinloc. The Secretary emphasized that disagreements over legal and political issues do not justify resorting to disturbing imagery, drawing a firm line at the depiction of Filipinos as monkeys in the 10 July 2026 China Daily video, which is deeply offensive, distressing, and unacceptable.

The Philippines emphasized the need to exercise restraint, avoid actions that increase tensions, and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

Lazaro also reiterated the Philippines’ adherence to its One China Policy, consistent with the 1975 Joint Communiqué between the Philippines and China.

The meeting marked the first bilateral engagement at the Foreign Minister level between the Philippines and China in two years. It followed the Vice-Ministerial-led back-to-back 24th Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations and the 11th Meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea, held on 27-28 March 2026 in China.

The meeting was held in accordance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to pursue dialogue and diplomacy with China, while remaining assertive in protecting the Philippine national interest. Department of Foreign Affairs