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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider PH, China resume political dialogue to discuss maritime issues

PH, China resume political dialogue to discuss maritime issues

Published Jan 30, 2026 10:22 am  |  Updated Jan 30, 2026 01:29 pm
The Philippines and China resumed on Thursday, Jan. 30, one of their most anticipated bilateral discussions—a political dialogue on maritime issues and other mutual interests—in a move that came as the two sides expressed willingness to end the long-running conflict in the South China Sea.
The Philippines hosted the talk with China at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Cebu.
High-ranking diplomats from both sides attended the bilateral discussion, which included the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Policy Leo Herrera-Lim and Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Marshall Louis Alferez, as well as the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs Director-General Hou Yanqi.
Thursday's meeting marked the resumption of political dialogue between the two countries after over a year-long hiatus, said the Chinese embassy in Manila.
"The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on maritime affairs and other issues of mutual interest and agreed to continue to maintain communication through diplomatic channels," it added.
They also underscored the importance of sustained diplomatic dialogue and continued cooperation across all sectors, according to the DFA.
The Philippines and China's resumption of talks could pave the way for the expedited conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, especially as the whole ASEAN, which the Philippines is chairing, agreed to hasten its negotiations.
DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines will host the monthly meetings of the technical working group (TWG) tasked with COC negotiations for its immediate conclusion, while Chinese Ambassador in Manila Jing Quan also disclosed in a recent media event that both sides are pushing for accelerated talks.

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PH-China DFA South China Sea Code of Conduct
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