PHILIPPINE Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed to maintain “diplomacy and dialogue” in a phone call amid heated online exchanges between China’s envoy to Manila and Philippine officials.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Ms. Lazaro received a telephone call from Mr. Wang on Tuesday, which it described as “frank, pragmatic, and constructive.”
The discussion also “reflected the interest of both sides in a stable and predictable relationship founded on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation.”
This comes amid online exchanges between Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan and Philippine government officials, following Mr. Jing’s remarks that while it chooses not to, Beijing can defeat Manila with force.
Ms. Lazaro and Mr. Wang also agreed to avoid actions and rhetoric that could undermine relations or heighten tensions as well as to resolve disputes peacefully and manage differences responsibly.
The DFA chief also underscored the need to sustain diplomatic relations through regular high-level exchanges, ministry-to-ministry channels, and the appropriate bilateral and regional mechanisms.
She also relayed President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s hopes that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2026 in Cebu this November.
Mr. Wang, however, said the customarily, Chinese Premier Li Qiang has led the Chinese delegation to the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in the Philippines.
Mr. Xi has never attended any ASEAN-related events in-person, typically delegating the task to a premier. — FSA