On March 23, 2023, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong co-chaired the 23rd China-Philippines Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) with Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Maria Theresa P. Lazaro in Manila. It was the first face-to-face bilateral consultation between the two foreign ministries since the onset of COVID.

The two sides agreed that President Marcos Jr. paid a successful visit to China earlier this year. President Xi Jinping and President Marcos Jr. made important strategic guidance for developing China-Philippines relations. The two sides need to fully implement consensus reached between the two presidents, continuously deepen cooperation in the four priority areas of agriculture, infrastructure, energy and people-to-people exchanges, work together to advance the two countries’ modernization and drive their respective development and rejuvenation. The two sides reaffirmed commitment to properly managing differences through friendly consultations and keeping to the main thrust and general direction of China-Philippines friendship.

The two sides shared the view that it is crucial for countries in the region to maintain strategic autonomy and enhance solidarity and coordination. The two sides spoke positively of the development of China-ASEAN relations, and will focus on cooperation and make joint efforts to build epicentrum of growth and a shared home of China and ASEAN countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.