Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the Philippines to refrain from statements and actions that could further escalate tensions between the two countries. The two Asian nations have long been at odds over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, but tensions have intensified in recent weeks following remarks made by Filipino politicians against China.
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang discussed these issues during a telephone conversation with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teresa Lazaro on November 3. Wang stated that some Filipino politicians, driven by political bias and personal interests, have made insulting remarks about Beijing and crossed China’s red lines. He added that such actions negatively affect economic, trade, and people-to-people relations while also threatening the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese organizations and citizens operating in the Philippines.
Furthermore, Wang reminded the Philippine government of the importance of adhering to the One-China policy and warned Manila to exercise particular caution in both its public statements and actions concerning disputes in the South China Sea.
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea remain one of the primary sources of tension between the two countries. Beijing claims sovereignty over most of the strategically important waterway, a position opposed by the Philippines and several other countries in the region.
In recent years, territorial disagreements have repeatedly escalated into physical confrontations at sea, including collisions between vessels and incidents involving coast guard personnel. According to an international arbitration ruling, China’s extensive historic claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis. However, Beijing does not recognize the ruling.
One of the key areas of dispute is Reed Bank, a maritime area located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Manila has sought to explore oil and natural gas resources in the area, but these efforts have been delayed for years due to opposition from China.
Despite the ongoing disagreements, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teresa Lazaro described her conversation with her Chinese counterpart as constructive. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, she said the two sides discussed the future direction of bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic communication.
According to Lazaro, maintaining stable and predictable relations with China is important for the Philippines. She noted that, particularly in light of current economic and energy challenges, cooperation between the two countries could help manage disagreements and strengthen regional stability.
The Philippine foreign affairs secretary also reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to the One-China policy, stressing that the country’s position on the matter would remain unchanged. She also highlighted the importance of resolving maritime and other disputes through dialogue and negotiations.
In addition, Beijing and Manila agreed to manage existing disagreements responsibly, work toward stabilizing the situation, and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Despite the strong warnings issued by China, the outcome of the telephone conversation suggests that both countries are seeking to maintain diplomatic channels amid ongoing tensions. Nevertheless, territorial disputes in the South China Sea remain a significant challenge to China-Philippines relations.
