March 28, 2026 - China has urged the Philippines to help create a better environment for improving their relationship as officials wrapped up two days of discussions on territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
During these talks held on Saturday in Quanzhou, Fujian province, officials engaged in a “candid and in-depth” conversation about their relations, as well as local and global issues, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Philippines emphasized its strong position on various matters and voiced concerns related to the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, as stated by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The department added that both countries are progressing on practical measures in line with Philippine laws and policies to enhance trust in maritime matters.
Manila and Beijing are currently engaged in a dispute over the critical South China Sea waterway. Their last formal talks were held in January of last year. These discussions were prompted by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s recent willingness to restart talks with Beijing regarding a joint oil and gas project in the contested area. The Philippines is also seeking oil and fertilizer from China due to supply disruptions caused by the Iran conflict.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry noted that both parties spoke positively about building China-Asean relations. Despite challenges, they agreed to enhance communication and collaboration to promote cooperation in East Asia and ensure regional stability and progress.
Additionally, in a statement regarding the talks, China’s Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs expressed a formal protest over what it called recent maritime intrusions and provocative actions by the Philippines. China urged Manila to match its statements with actions and to return to resolving maritime issues through dialogue.
Both countries discussed cooperation in areas like maritime law enforcement and marine science and technology, reporting positive outcomes. They reaffirmed their commitment to manage maritime tensions through discussions and to proceed with talks on the South China Sea code of conduct.