Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro met in Manila on Tuesday to discuss tensions in the South China Sea and explore ways to reduce the risk of miscalculation, officials said. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN foreign ministers’ conference and marked the first formal diplomatic engagement between the two since Lazaro took office in July 2025.

The encounter came days after a confrontation between Chinese coastguard vessels and the Philippine Navy near the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed area also known as Ren’ai Jiao in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines. The incident was the first significant maritime clash between the two sides in several months.

According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the talks were described as “candid, comprehensive and constructive.” Both parties emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region, as well as sustaining ongoing dialogue on shared concerns. Discussions encompassed a broad spectrum of issues, including maritime disputes, security, law enforcement cooperation, trade and investment, tourism, and broader regional matters.

During the meeting, Lazaro reiterated Manila’s formal protest against what she characterized as “violent actions” by the China Coast Guard near the Second Thomas Shoal. She highlighted concerns about Chinese activities that Manila says have violated its maritime rights and endangered the safety of Filipino personnel and fishermen operating in the area.

Beijing, meanwhile, has accused the Philippines of provoking the recent incident by dispatching small boats to approach Chinese coastguard ships. Philippine officials contend that during the confrontation, a member of their naval personnel was struck on the head with a wooden baton.

Both sides called for efforts to prevent further escalation and underscored the urgency of measures to mitigate misunderstanding or miscalculations amid ongoing maritime disputes in these contested waters. The talks reflect continued efforts by China and the Philippines to manage their differences while maintaining dialogue within the broader ASEAN-led diplomatic framework.