Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Philippine Foreign Secretary Lazaro in Manila, where he clarified China’s stern position to the Philippine side. He expressed strong protest over the “violent acts” of Philippine personnel at Ren'ai Reef (referred to by the Philippines as Ayungin Shoal), who “collided with Chinese law enforcement vessels,” and stated that China-Philippines relations stand at a crossroads, and where to go next requires the Philippines to make the correct and rational choice.
On Wednesday, Wang Yi met with Philippine Foreign Secretary Lazaro in Manila during the East Asia Cooperation Series of Foreign Ministers’ Meetings. The meeting came as Chinese and Philippine vessels clashed in the waters near Ren’ai Reef, and marked the first meeting between the two foreign ministers in two years.
Wang Yi said that in recent years, China-Philippines relations have continued to face difficulties and challenges, which clearly do not serve the interests of either side and are detrimental to the Philippines’ own development. “In this turbulent and uncertain world, we should be jointly safeguarding the hard-won peace and development in the region. Yet, the actions of the Philippines are running counter to those of other regional countries, becoming a source of disruption to regional peace and stability.”
Wang Yi stated that facts have proven that allowing external forces to interfere and deliberately hype up and expand maritime differences will only lead to being used as a tool by others. If one tries to provoke and stir up trouble with the support of forces outside the region, one will only end up reaping the consequences of their own actions.
“Regrettably, whenever China and the Philippines are about to hold dialogue, there are people within the Philippines — especially some elements in the military and police — who deliberately create incidents and sabotage the progress of dialogue. These people harbor ill intentions; their concern is not the welfare of the Filipino people, but fulfilling the directives of external forces and seeking personal gain. At present, China-Philippines relations are at a crossroads. Where they go next requires the Philippines to make the right, rational choice.”
Wang Yi emphasized that China has never been a security threat to the Philippines and has never invaded or colonized the Philippines in history. The territorial and maritime delimitation disputes between China and the Philippines are objective facts. China has always been committed to managing differences and stabilizing the situation through bilateral dialogue and consultation. However, the Philippine side has deviated from the bilateral negotiation channel, and under the instigation of external forces, set up a makeshift “arbitration tribunal,” fabricating and hyping up an illegal and invalid so-called “award,” which China has never accepted, participated in, or recognized.
Wang Yi expressed that the Philippine side should immediately stop its provocative actions on maritime issues, abide by the commitments it has made to China so far, and make concrete efforts to stabilize bilateral relations.
Lazaro posted on social media platform X that she had a “frank exchange” with Wang Yi on Philippines-China relations. They also discussed the importance of keeping communication channels open, managing tensions, and exploring pragmatic ways forward.
She said: “Regarding unacceptable actions against Philippine personnel near Ayungin Shoal, as well as the disturbing images in a China Daily video, I reiterated our strong protest.”