Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

China and the Philippines reaffirmed their commitment to advancing dialogue and stabilizing bilateral relations, as Manila reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy and stated that it does not recognize Taiwan as a “sovereign state,” according to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Saturday after a new round of diplomatic consultations.

On Saturday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong co-chaired the 24th China-Philippines Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) with Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Maria Theresa P. Lazaro in Quanzhou, East China’s Fujian Province, which marks the first such consultation in three years, following the 23rd round held in Manila in March 2023.

The two sides held candid and in-depth exchanges on China-Philippines relations as well as international and regional issues of shared concern, according to the statement.

Sun noted that China and the Philippines are close neighbors that will always live with each other, stressing that good-neighborliness and friendship have long been the mainstream of bilateral relations. He said that a stable and sound China-Philippines relationship serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples.

The Chinese side attaches importance to the Philippine side’s willingness to stabilize relations and strengthen dialogue, Sun said, expressing hope that the Philippines will work in the same direction with China and take concrete steps to create the necessary conditions and atmosphere for improving bilateral ties.

Lazaro said that the Philippines is willing to continue advancing diplomatic dialogue with China, enhance mutual understanding and trust, properly manage differences, and promote the steady improvement of bilateral relations, according to the statement.

She also reiterated that the principles of the 1975 China-Philippines Joint Communiqué remain the cornerstone of bilateral ties. The Philippines adheres to the one-China policy, recognizes that the Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, and does not recognize Taiwan as a “sovereign state,” she said.

Both sides also positively evaluated the development of China-ASEAN relations. Amid a complex and evolving regional situation, they agreed to strengthen communication and coordination, promote progress in East Asian cooperation, and jointly safeguard regional stability and development.

On the same day, Sun and Lazaro also co-chaired the 11th meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) in Quanzhou, according to another statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Saturday.

During the meeting, the two sides had candid and constructive exchanges on the situation in the South China Sea. The Chinese side lodged solemn representations over the Philippine side’s recent maritime infringements, provocations and related hype, urging the Philippines to match its words with deeds and return to the right track of addressing maritime issues through dialogue and consultation, so as to create favorable conditions and an appropriate atmosphere for stabilizing bilateral relations, according to the statement.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in areas such as maritime law enforcement and marine science and technology, making positive progress. They agreed to strengthen communication and dialogue on maritime issues, properly manage the situation at sea, and steadily advance practical cooperation across various fields.

Both sides further agreed to work with other ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), accelerate consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and strive for an early conclusion of the COC, in a bid to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to the statement.

Representatives from departments including foreign affairs, defense, natural resources and coast guards of both countries attended the meeting.

Global Times