Philippine, Chinese FMs meet at sidelines of ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
Lazaro and Wang’s meeting at the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Ministerial Meetings on Wednesday, July 22, is the first bilateral engagement at a ministerial-level in two years.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet at the sidelines of the 59th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on Wednesday, July 22. Photo from Secretary Lazaro’s X account.
Anna Mogato | July 22, 2026
MANILA —Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and China’s Foreign Affairs Minister Wang held a “candid discussion” over China Coast Guard’s recent activity at Ayungin Shoal and China Daily’s “offensive” AI-generated video.
Lazaro and Wang’s meeting at the sidelines of the 59th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meetings (AMM) on Wednesday, July 22, is the first bilateral engagement at a ministerial-level in two years.
Lazaro in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said she “reiterated our strong protest over the unacceptable actions against Filipino personnel near Ayungin Shoal, and the disturbing imagery in China Daily video.”
“At the same time, we discussed the importance of keeping communication lines open, managing tensions, and pursuing practical ways forward.”
Last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) filed a diplomatic protest over state media China Daily’s publication of an AI-generated video which the government said was “deeply offensive, distressing, and unacceptable.”
In a statement, the DFA said that Lazaro and Wang’s bilateral meeting was in accordance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘s “directive to pursue dialogue and diplomacy with China, while remaining assertive in protecting the Philippine national interest.”
Aside from political, security,maritime and law enforcement matters, both ministers discussed “regional and international developments, and mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.”
A key topic discussed was the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct (COC), which the Philippines confidently maintained would be concluded by yearend.
“The two sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region, reducing the risk of miscalculation, and sustaining dialogue on matters of mutual concern,” the statement read.
The DFA in its statement also added that Lazaro reiterated the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy, which the country has followed since the 1975 Joint Communiqué between both countries.