Pasay city: The Philippines has officially lodged a protest against recent Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea during a bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This meeting, held on the sidelines of the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Pasay City, marks the first foreign minister-level engagement between the two nations in two years.

According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Lazaro expressed Manila's strong objections to the 'unacceptable actions against Filipino personnel near Ayungin Shoal' and the offensive depiction of Filipinos in a China Daily video. She also highlighted the necessity to dismantle remaining structures at Bajo de Masinloc, including an antenna on a rock at the feature's entrance, emphasizing the Philippines' firm stance on maritime rights.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated that the Philippines reiterated its commitment to international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. The country urged for restraint and peaceful dispute resolution while maintaining communication to manage tensions.

Both ministers acknowledged progress in negotiations for the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct, aiming to complete it by year-end. Secretary Lazaro also reaffirmed the Philippines' adherence to the One China Policy, aligning with the 1975 Joint Communiqu©.

This meeting succeeds recent vice-ministerial consultations and bilateral discussions in China, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to engage in dialogue and diplomacy with China, while firmly safeguarding Philippine national interests.