Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the Philippines is actively working to redefine its relationship with China, aiming to balance cooperation between the two countries while maintaining its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. Marcos expressed his views during a Kapihan media briefing, emphasizing the importance of evolving the bilateral relationship with China.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos highlighted that despite the ongoing maritime disputes, there remains a significant potential for trade and other forms of cooperation between the Philippines and China. He stated, “I continue to find ways to redefine our relationship with China. I really believe that the way forward is to change.” Marcos suggested that the maritime disagreements should not overshadow the broader scope of potential engagements.

During the 28th ASEAN-China Summit, President Marcos reiterated Manila’s openness to exploring cooperative activities and mechanisms aimed at reducing the risk of incidents in the South China Sea. However, he stressed that cooperation cannot coexist with coercion and condemned actions that endanger Filipino fishermen and sailors. He also voiced Manila’s opposition to China’s plan to establish a nature reserve in the South China Sea, specifically in Bajo de Masinloc.

President Marcos also discussed the prospect of inviting Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines for the upcoming ASEAN hosting. He expressed a strong desire for Xi’s visit, contingent on substantial progress in negotiations related to the Code of Conduct (COC) by 2026. Marcos indicated that Xi’s potential visit would signify significant advancements in bilateral talks, which he described as a positive development.

The Philippines’ approach to redefining its relationship with China reflects a strategic effort to balance cooperation with the protection of its national interests, particularly in the context of maritime sovereignty.