The Philippines and China held their first high-level diplomatic discussions since January this week, tackling longstanding territorial disputes in the South China Sea while exploring potential energy partnerships, according to the Philippine foreign ministry.
These discussions marked the 11th session under a diplomatic framework created in 2017, with both nations addressing maritime conflicts and energy security concerns heightened by ongoing Middle East tensions.
During the meetings, Manila “firmly reiterated its principled positions,” expressing alarm over incidents that have endangered Filipino workers and fishing crews, while stressing the need for diplomatic solutions, open communication, and respect for international maritime law, the ministry announced Saturday.
The two countries explored preliminary opportunities for oil and gas collaboration while highlighting the critical need for reliable energy and fertilizer supplies.
These diplomatic efforts follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a national energy emergency earlier this week, triggered by oil supply interruptions from Middle East conflicts. The president announced plans to diversify fuel procurement, including potential purchases from China.
The agenda also covered renewable energy development, agricultural cooperation, trade relationships, and potential cultural exchange programs, including visa-free travel arrangements and direct flight connections, ministry officials reported. The Philippines noted that both nations “continued to make progress” in building maritime confidence, including improved communication between their respective coast guard forces.
In his own statement, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong urged “concrete actions” from the Philippines to strengthen bilateral relationships.
Additional discussions between the countries’ foreign ministers are scheduled for later this year.
China’s broad territorial assertions in the South China Sea conflict with the maritime boundaries of several Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines.
Recent naval encounters have escalated regional tensions, with Manila condemning Beijing’s “dangerous maneuvers” and use of water cannons to disrupt Philippine supply operations in disputed waters.
An international arbitration court ruled against China’s territorial claims in 2016, but Beijing continues to reject that legal determination.
This week’s meeting represented the first comprehensive bilateral relationship discussion since March 2023, designed to promote maritime cooperation and trust-building measures, the Philippine ministry stated.
