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.

Both sides reiterated their strong support for multilateralism and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which serves as the legal framework governing all maritime activities. They emphasized respect for the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of coastal states, in accordance with international law and the dispute settlement mechanisms under UNCLOS.

Reaffirming the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, both parties called for full and faithful compliance with the legally binding decision, underscoring their commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.

The EU and the Philippines also expressed firm opposition to illegal, coercive, or aggressive actions that undermine peace and stability in the region. Both sides urged restraint, adherence to international law, and peaceful resolution of maritime disputes through dialogue and UNCLOS mechanisms.

Highlighting growing strategic cooperation, the two sides took note of the EU–Philippines Security and Defence Dialogue launched in Manila in June 2025, which serves as a dedicated platform to advance joint work on maritime security, critical infrastructure protection, and emerging issues such as “shadow fleets.”

They also welcomed the upcoming entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) under UNCLOS, which aims to protect marine biodiversity, combat environmental degradation, and address the impacts of climate change. Both parties committed to working together toward its universal ratification and effective implementation.

Recognizing the vital role of Filipino seafarers, the EU and the Philippines echoed the call of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the UN Security Council for enhanced safety of seafarers navigating high-risk areas. They agreed to strengthen cooperation on real-time threat intelligence sharing, seafarer assistance, and capacity building to ensure safety at sea.

The meeting also highlighted ongoing collaborations such as ESIWA, CRIMARIO (via the IORIS platform), and the EU–ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE) Seafarers Technical Assistance Project, all aimed at supporting maritime safety, education, training, and certification in the Philippines and the ASEAN region.

Both parties agreed to further explore initiatives in maritime domain awareness, coast guard cooperation, environmental protection, and non-traditional security challenges, reinforcing their shared goal of preserving peace, security, and sustainability in the Indo-Pacific.

The Subcommittee was co-chaired by Cosmin Dobran, Director for Peace, Partnership, and Crisis Management at the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Donato K. Guzman of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Representatives from EU Member States and relevant Philippine government agencies also participated in the meeting.

The next Subcommittee meeting is set to take place in Manila in 2026.