MANILA, Philippines | November 4, 2026 — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the Philippines to exercise caution in its South China Sea dispute with China and rein in politicians critical of Beijing during a telephone conversation with Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, as diplomatic tensions between the two countries intensify following controversial remarks by China’s ambassador in Manila.
The November 3 conversation came after a series of heated exchanges between officials of both countries, including a statement by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan that China could easily win a confrontation with the Philippines if it chose to use force. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described the ambassador’s remarks as sounding like a threat, prompting renewed calls for diplomatic accountability and a stronger Philippine response.
According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang accused some Philippine politicians of deliberately interfering in bilateral relations through statements he described as attacks against China. He urged Manila to exercise greater restraint among those officials and maintain what Beijing called a rational and unified policy toward China.
Wang also cautioned the Philippines to be careful in its words and actions concerning maritime disputes, reiterating China’s position on its territorial claims.
Lazaro described her discussion with Wang as frank and constructive. In a statement posted on her official social media account, she said both sides emphasized the importance of continuing diplomatic dialogue and managing differences through mutual respect.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the two officials discussed bilateral relations, maritime concerns and the need to avoid rhetoric or actions that could further escalate tensions. The department stressed that diplomatic engagement would continue through established bilateral and regional mechanisms.
The latest diplomatic exchange followed an October controversy involving Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, who told reporters that China could easily win a confrontation with the Philippines through force but would not choose that option because it preferred peace. The remarks drew strong criticism from Philippine officials. The Department of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassador to express Manila’s serious concern and objection, describing his comments as provocative and unacceptable.
Despite the disagreements, the two foreign ministers also discussed opportunities to restore bilateral cooperation. The possible resumption of stalled negotiations on joint oil and natural gas exploration at Reed Bank was raised during their conversation. The offshore area is claimed by both countries but lies within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.
The dispute has deep historical and legal implications. On July 12, 2016, an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ruled in favor of the Philippines on key issues involving China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. The tribunal found that China’s claimed historic rights within the so-called nine-dash line had no legal basis under the convention. It also recognized Philippine sovereign rights over certain maritime areas, including parts of the country’s exclusive economic zone. China rejected the ruling, although the award is final and binding under international law.
Under UNCLOS, a coastal state has sovereign rights to explore, exploit and manage natural resources within its exclusive economic zone, which can extend up to 200 nautical miles from its baselines. These rights remain central to the Philippines’ position in its maritime dispute with China.
The Philippines and China are expected to continue diplomatic engagement through bilateral consultations and regional forums, including ASEAN. The DFA said Lazaro also conveyed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s expectation that Chinese Premier Li Qiang would attend the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila, while Wang expressed China’s expectation that Marcos would participate in the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen.
For Manila, the challenge remains balancing diplomatic engagement with the protection of Philippine sovereignty and sovereign rights. The latest exchange demonstrates that while both governments continue to recognize the importance of dialogue, fundamental disagreements over the South China Sea remain unresolved.
DC Alviar
Professor DC Alviar is a tenured associate professor at National University (NU) Manila and a steering committee member of the Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO). He has contributed to NU's community extension initiatives that introduced the five disciplines of a learning organization (Senge, 1990) to communities within a local government unit. He writes and edits local reports for Mega Scene. He graduated with Master of Development Communication (MDC) and Doctor of Communication (DComm) degrees from the University of the Philippines (UP) Open University in Los Baños and was awarded with a Commission on Higher Education (CHED) SIKAP grant. He previously served as editor-in-chief of The Adamson News and his high school publication Ang Ugat.
- DC Alviar
- DC Alviar
- DC Alviar
- DC Alviar
