Despite tensed maritime issues between the two countries, the Philippines and China continue their cooperation on law enforcement, people-to-people exchanges, and safety and welfare of their citizens.
PH, China continue cooperation on law enforcement, tourism
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Ma. Antonina Mendoza-Oblena (front, rightmost) and Chinese Foreign Ministry Director General Long Zhou (front, center) with members of the Philippine and Chinese delegations during the 9th Joint Consular Consultation in Beijing on July 22, 2025. (Photo from Philippine Embassy in Beijing)
The two sides held the 9th Joint Consular Consultation in Beijing on July 22, six years since the last JCC consultation was held in 2019.
The officials “acknowledged that centuries of friendship between the Filipino and Chinese peoples form the bedrock of bilateral relations,” a statement from the Philippine Embassy in Beijing said.
“Our relations have faced challenges, but we continue to cooperate in protecting our nationals and persist in aspiring for more people-to-people exchanges,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Maria Antonina Mendoza-Oblena stated.
Along with Chinese Foreign Ministry Director General for Consular Affairs Long Zhou, the two officials underscored their ongoing cooperation in addressing transnational and other crimes, including illegal gambling, since President Marcos banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Corporations last year.
“Law enforcement is one of the areas where bilateral cooperation can continue to flourish and where information-sharing on law enforcement can be further strengthened,” the DFA official said.
The meeting also served as a platform for the official to stress the importance of engagement through this bilateral mechanism to achieve improvements in managing consular cases and facilitating people-to-people relationships.