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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Philippines, China reaffirm push to conclude South China Sea code this year

Philippines, China reaffirm push to conclude South China Sea code this year

Published Jul 22, 2026 04:30 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippines and China reaffirmed their commitment to conclude negotiations on the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct in the South China Sea this year.
  • The commitment was made during bilateral talks between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings.
  • Both sides also agreed to keep communication channels open and strengthen confidence-building measures to reduce tensions.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro holds a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meetings in Pasay City, July 22, 2026. (Lazaro/X)
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro holds a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meetings in Pasay City, July 22, 2026. (Lazaro/X)

The Philippines and China have reaffirmed their commitment to conclude negotiations on the long-awaited ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea this year as both countries sought to sustain dialogue despite continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

The commitment was made during the bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministerial Meetings in Manila, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA said both sides highlighted the progress of the ongoing ASEAN-China negotiations and expressed their continued willingness to work together toward concluding the COC negotiations before the end of the year.

The two foreign ministers also underscored the importance of maintaining open channels of communication, enhancing mutual understanding, strengthening confidence-building measures, and reducing the risk of miscalculation while sustaining dialogue on issues of mutual concern.

According to the DFA, Lazaro and Wang held a "candid, comprehensive and constructive discussion" on the overall state of Philippines-China relations, including political and security issues, maritime and law enforcement matters, regional and international developments, and cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.

The Philippines also emphasized the need for all parties to exercise restraint, avoid actions that increase tensions, and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

During the meeting, Lazaro reiterated the Philippines' protest over the recent violent incident involving China Coast Guard personnel and Filipino Navy personnel at Ayungin Shoal, as well as concerns over actions affecting the country's maritime rights and the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen.

She also raised the issue of the July 10 China Daily video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, describing the imagery as "deeply offensive, distressing, and unacceptable."

Lazaro likewise reaffirmed the Philippines' adherence to its One China Policy, consistent with the 1975 Joint Communiqué between the Philippines and China.

The bilateral meeting marked the first engagement at the foreign minister level between the Philippines and China in two years and followed the vice ministerial consultations and the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea held in China in March.

Related Tags

Ma. Theresa Lazaro Wang Yi PH-China South China Sea West Philippine Sea ASEAN ASEAN-China Code of Conduct
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