The Philippines and China have resumed high-level diplomatic engagements, with discussions centered on the global fallout from the Middle East conflict, energy and fertilizer security, and maritime tensions in the South China Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a news release from Quanzhou, China over the weekend (March 28).
This marks an early follow-through to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s March 24 statement in a Bloomberg interview to reset bilateral relations.
During back-to-back meetings — the 24th Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) and the 11th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea held on March 27–28 in Quanzhou, both sides underscored the urgency of ensuring stable access to critical resources amid global uncertainty.
The consultations, led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo M. Herrera-Lim for the Philippines and Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong for China, also set the stage for sustained diplomatic engagement, with both sides confirming a meeting between their foreign ministers within the year.
The Philippines also welcomed China’s hosting of a marine science and technology symposium in Qingdao in September 2026, focusing on ocean meteorology. Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) are expected to participate.
With geopolitical tensions disrupting supply chains, the two countries discussed the need to safeguard energy and fertilizer access, alongside potential cooperation in renewable energy, trade, and agriculture. The reconvening of bilateral mechanisms was identified as key to advancing these efforts.
At the same time, maritime security remained a central issue.
The Philippine delegation raised concerns over incidents in the South China Sea affecting the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen, including actions that have disrupted lawful activities and posed risks at sea.
Manila reiterated its commitment to diplomacy while firmly asserting its positions under international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.
The Philippines emphasized the importance of sustained communication and practical cooperation to manage differences, including ongoing efforts to enhance coast guard-to-coast guard communication, ocean meteorology collaboration, and initial discussions on possible oil and gas cooperation.
Beyond security and economic concerns, both sides also explored ways to revive people-to-people exchanges, including visa-free arrangements, expanded connectivity, and new direct air routes to boost tourism and bilateral engagement.
As ASEAN Chair, the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to upholding ASEAN centrality and promoting a rules-based regional order amid evolving geopolitical tensions.
The Quanzhou meetings build on earlier rounds of dialogue held in Cebu and Beijing this year, signaling a step-by-step process of re-engagement between the two countries.
The FMC was last held in Manila in March 2023, while the previous BCM meeting took place in Xiamen in January 2025.
Both engagements align with President Marcos Jr.’s directive to pursue dialogue and diplomacy with China in line with Philippine national interest, while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction.