PH tries to ease tensions with China as ASEAN Summit nears

• The Philippines and China engaged in diplomatic talks to ease tensions ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit, with both foreign ministers emphasizing the importance of dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution.
• Despite efforts for a reset in relations, confrontations in the West Philippine Sea and inflammatory remarks from Chinese officials have continued to strain bilateral ties.
• The Philippines remains committed to a stable relationship with China while pursuing an independent foreign policy, as highlighted by Foreign Secretary Lazaro's statements ahead of the ASEAN Summit.

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MANILA, Philippines — With over a week to go before world leaders converge in Manila for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Summit, the Philippines and China sought to ease bilateral tensions — at least diplomatically — through a call between its foreign ministers.  

In a statement on Wednesday, November 4, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Ministers Wang Yi had a “frank, pragmatic, and constructive” phone call to discuss “the state of bilateral ties at length.” 

“The two ministers shared the understanding that such a relationship rests on three principles: first, that both sides maintain diplomacy and dialogue; second, that both sides avoid actions and rhetoric that could needlessly undermine relations or heighten tensions; and third, that both sides resolve disputes peacefully and manage differences responsibly,” said the DFA. 

While Beijing has yet to release an official readout on the call, state news agency Xinhua said that during the meeting, Wang “urged the Philippine side to faithfully implement its one-China policy and exercise prudence in its words and actions on maritime issues.” 

Lazaro and Wang last spoke formally in July 2026, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting. That meeting was preceded by a confrontation in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal that injured a Filipino soldier. 

This time, the phone call is backdropped by what’s arguably the tensest time in bilateral relations yet. Chinese Ambassador to Manila Jing Quan started a maelstrom after he said the Philippines should be “fortunate” that China does not use force in its disputes with the Philippines. Lazaro summoned Jing after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the remarks were a “threat.” 

But the maelstrom raged on after that meeting. Philippine officials and the Chinese embassy in Manila, which Jing heads, continued exchanging tirades on social media and in media interviews. At the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus, China sent only its Manila-based defense attache, who was then not received personally by China-sanctioned Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. 

Beijing accused Teodoro of supposedly getting in the way of their participation in the highest defense diplomacy engagement within ASEAN. Teodoro himself had told the media on October 23 that the invitation to China — issued by Defense Undersecretary Ignacio Madriaga — had just been sent out. The meetings, hosted in Cebu, started on October 28. 

Manila will be hosting the 49th ASEAN Summit — the biggest of all events under its chairmanship — from November 16 to 18.

Reset for what? 

Marcos had signaled early on in 2026 — as Manila took on ASEAN chairmanship — that he wanted a “reset” in ties with China. 

“The Philippines remains committed to a stable, predictable, mutually respectful, and mutually beneficial relationship with China, in accordance with the national interest and in pursuit of an independent foreign policy as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution,” the DFA said on Wednesday. 

Marcos’ desire for a reset past the midway point of his presidency made sense especially with the ASEAN chairmanship. The bloc’s goal, set by its foreign ministers in 2023, was to finish South China Sea code of conduct (COC) talks by 2026. 

The Philippines, under Marcos, started pushing back stronger against China’s encroachments in the South China Sea. It also expanded its defense network and deepened existing ties with traditional partners — moves that, at times, ruffled China’s feathers. Delimitation talks with Japan in waters north of the Philippines are believed to have, among other things, spurred Beijing’s new claims over Batanes and the waters of the Philippine province.

The Philippines remains committed to a stable, predictable, mutually respectful, and mutually beneficial relationship with China, in accordance with the national interest and in pursuit of an independent foreign policy as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution

The upcoming ASEAN Summit was highlighted in the DFA press statement, with Lazaro saying Marcos “looks forward to the participation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang in the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila.”

The President had hoped for President Xi Jinping to visit Manila, if the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea had concluded. Xi typically does not participate in the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

The DFA said that according to Wang, China is “anticipating” Marcos’ participation in the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen. “Both ministers assured each other that their respective leaders would be accorded the proper courtesies and assistance during these meetings,” said the DFA. 

The COC is not expected to conclude by the ASEAN Summit in Manila. 

Wang’s laments 

According to the Xinhua report, Wang claimed that “China-Philippines relations are facing malicious interference at present” and that “a few Philippine politicians, out of political prejudice and self-interest, have repeatedly attacked and smeared China,” a barely-veiled allusion to Teodoro. 

“Such deeds are irrational and intolerable, and damaging to the Philippines’ own international image, Wang said, adding that Manila should exercise greater restraint over the individuals concerned and ensure that its policy toward China reflects a rational and unified voice,” said Xinhua in its report. 

The DFA press release, titled “DFA Statement on Stable and Predictable Philippines-China Relations,” focused on assurances that Manila wants to calm ties with Beijing.

“The discussion also covered other matters of concern, including maritime issues, but focused on returning the relationship to an even keel and on upholding the 1975 Joint Communiqué, which remains the enduring basis of Philippines-China cooperation and of the Philippines’ One China Policy,” said the DFA. 

Yet as attempts at a reset commenced, confrontations in the West Philippine Sea, an area that includes the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, continued to happen. China’s political pressure also stepped up, with the sanction of Teodoro and his family over his statements against Beijing. The Chinese embassy in Manila continued with strong, sometimes inflammatory statements on its social media accounts against Philippine officials, including nationally-elected legislators. – Rappler.com