Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged his Philippine counterpart to exercise caution in their actions and words regarding the South China Sea dispute, citing "malicious interference" by certain Filipino politicians in bilateral relations. The warning came during a phone call Tuesday night between Wang and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa Lazaro.
According to a statement from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang stated that the Philippines should "strengthen restraints on the relevant people, and speak with a unified, reasonable voice on policy towards China." Lazaro, in a post on X, described the discussion as "frank and constructive," emphasizing the need for "continued diplomatic dialogue and the proper management of differences anchored on mutual respect."
The call followed a period of heightened tension between the two nations. The Philippines' defense secretary recently labeled China a "troublemaker" in the region, a comment that China's ambassador to the Philippines dismissed as nonsense, though he added that China "may easily win" if it chose to use force, but would not do so as it "loves peace." This statement drew a strong reaction from Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who interpreted it as a threat.
Despite the strong rhetoric, both sides agreed to maintain diplomatic channels, according to the Chinese statement. Another subject discussed was the potential resumption of stalled talks on joint oil and gas exploration in the Reed Bank, an offshore area claimed by both Beijing and Manila but located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
Philippine efforts to explore for oil and gas in the Reed Bank have been repeatedly obstructed by Beijing's claims over the area and most of the South China Sea. This region, a critical global trade route, is also subject to territorial disputes involving Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
