MEETING. Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa Lazaro looks on at Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during the Opening Statement of the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with China, at the Philippine International Convention Centre in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on July 22, 2026.
Rolex dela Pena/Pool via REUTERS
For its first bilateral ministerial meeting in two years, the Philippines brings up a long list of grievances, even as it highlights the 'importance of maintaining open channels of communication'
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro on Wednesday, July 22, raised a long list of Manila’s grievances and concerns against China during the first foreign minister-level meeting between Manila and Beijing in two years.
In a release to the media, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Lazaro raised the following in her meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi: