China, Philippines foreign ministers to meet for first time since 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to meet Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro this week on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers meeting in Manila. The meeting will be the first between the two countries' top diplomats in two years.

Officials said it will address bilateral relations, the impact of global events on the region, and ASEAN matters.

planned talks Relations between China and the Philippines have deteriorated in recent months. Manila has voiced stronger opposition to China's South China Sea claims and has moved closer to Japan while signaling readiness to engage in any Taiwan conflict.

China imposed sanctions last month on the Philippines' defense chief over remarks it said harmed bilateral ties. The Philippines also protested an AI-generated video from Chinese state media last week. Manila has highlighted the 10-year anniversary of its 2016 international tribunal win against China's South China Sea claims, which Beijing has rejected.

context Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has previously signaled openness to restarting talks with Beijing on a joint oil and gas project in a disputed area, following disruptions from the Iran War. U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio, also attending the ASEAN meeting, said he plans to meet Marcos and is open to seeing Wang Yi, though no meeting has been confirmed.

The Philippines is a close U.S. ally that has strengthened defense ties with Washington in recent years.