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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, China hold first high-level talks over word war in Manila

PH, China hold first high-level talks over word war in Manila

Published Mar 4, 2026 02:49 pm
​Ranking diplomats from the Philippines and China sat down for a two-day talk in Beijing​ in a bid to contain the evolving word war between Chinese diplomats in Manila and Filipino officials that erupted late December.
​Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Marshall Louis Alferez held ​a dialogue with​ his Chinese counterpart, China's Foreign Ministry Asian Affairs Director-General Liu Jinsong, and Boundary and Ocean Affairs Director-General Hou Yanqi​ in a first high-level talk since Chinese diplomats and Filipino officials engaged in a heated online spat.
The two had ​"an open and candid exchange of views on prevailing bilateral concerns, and explored ways to advance mutually-beneficial cooperation," the DFA said.
​DFA Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio Villanueva, in a press briefing on Wednesday, March 4, said the meeting was prompted by the issues that have "taken place, the recent incidents [and] the exchanges between the Chinese Embassy and Philippine officials."
"That's only one part of the reason why we wanted to push through with the direct negotiations, bilateral discussion between the Philippines and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Villanueva said.
The two sides also discussed a possible schedule for the next bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) between the two sides. Villanueva said the DFA is working closely with the Chinese side to determine the most opportune time and the right environment for all these.
Such a meeting, according to the DFA official, was a demonstration of the Philippines' commitment to dialogue amid the sea dispute with China.
"This is consistent with the second core dynamic of maritime statecraft – the proactive effort to keep bilateral and regional channels open," he said.
"This shows our commitment to managing the situation at sea peacefully, further reflected by our mandate to assert and uphold Philippine interests while also seeking common ground where possible," he added.

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PH-China DFA Rogelio Villanueva
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