Filipino and Chinese diplomats met in Jakarta Friday, May 10, amid conflicting narratives on the supposed West Philippine Sea agreement.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro sat down with China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong for bilateral talks at the sidelines of the 30th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation.
During their meeting, the diplomats discussed maritime issues, according to Lazaro.
DFA has yet to provide further details about the meeting, which came amid a battle of narratives between Manila and Beijing.
China claimed the Philippines recently agreed to a “new model” in the West Philippine Sea, particularly in the Ayungin Shoal, which the latter had repeatedly denied.
“I looked forward to continuing our dialogue on issues of common concern,” Lazaro said.
Friday’s meeting was not the first that Lazaro sat down with Sun.
In March 2023, Lazaro also talked to Sun to raise that maritime issues are a serious concern for Filipinos.
During the second round of the Philippines-China consultative meetings, Lazaro told Sun that the sea dispute should be addressed through diplomacy and dialogue, and never through coercion and intimidation.