The Chinese foreign ministry said Thursday that China and the Philippines should resolve their disagreements during the first in-person meeting between top officials since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Naval conflicts in the South China Sea and the U.S. military presence in the Philippines have heightened bilateral relations.
“Both sides reiterated the significance of appropriately addressing issues via friendly dialogue and preserving the broad trend of Sino-Philippine friendship,” Beijing’s ministry stated.
After meeting with Theresa Lazaro, China’s Deputy Foreign Minister began a three-day visit to Manila.
It claimed the meetings also covered areas where both sides might collaborate, leading to an agreement to strengthen agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and cultural cooperation.
Lazaro stated that China and Manila should hold additional high-level diplomatic meetings after almost four years.
The Philippines unveiled four new military stations under a defense pact with the U.S. this week to increase Washington’s military footprint in Southeast Asia.
Philippines provinces bordering the South China Sea would host the bases. Local officials at the locations protested Manila’s move, fearing they would be drawn into a Taiwan dispute between the U.S. and China.
On Wednesday, China’s foreign ministry warned regional nations to be “vigilant” and avoid U.S. manipulation.
