On Thursday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong met the Philippines’ Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Maria Theresa Lazaro, in Manila. They jointly chaired the 23rd China-Philippines Foreign Ministry Consultations.
This was the two ministries’ first face-to-face talk since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diplomacy in Maritime Differences
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to “properly managing” differences through “friendly consultations.”
China, Philippines reaffirm need to properly manage differences, maintain strategic autonomy
— Zhang Heqing张和清 (@zhang_heqing) March 23, 2023
https://t.co/8nypQPHUtH pic.twitter.com/OQKe4v2tKa
Lazaro said at the opening of discussions that the countries’ respective leaders had “agreed that maritime issues should be addressed through diplomacy and dialogue and never through coercion and intimidation.”
She acknowledged that although maritime differences were a “serious concern” between the two countries, they could be resolved through the “exhaustion of all diplomatic means.”
Chinese Viewpoint
Meanwhile, Sun said the maritime issues were “an important part” of bilateral relations that “should not be ignored.”
Vice FM #SunWeidong met w/🇵🇭Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manalo on Thur,stressed to deepen political mutual trust & focus on practical coop. Manalo said #SouthChinaSea issue should not dominate #China-#Philippines ties, agreed disputes be properly managed.https://t.co/LmNRA6Qxq5 pic.twitter.com/sH5rvsHlsr
— Ji Rong嵇蓉 (@JiRongMFA) March 24, 2023
He added that in the past, “through friendly dialogue and consultations,” both sides had “generally managed and effectively dealt” with their differences on maritime issues. “We have also advanced our practical cooperation and our mutual trust,” Sun underscored.
In a meeting with the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Enrique Manalo, Sun said that both countries should “put the South China Sea issue at a proper place in bilateral relations, stay committed to properly tackling differences through friendly consultations, and jointly uphold the overall China-Philippines relations and stability of the region.” He added that the issue “should not dominate” their relations.