CEBU CITY – The Philippines and China resumed their bilateral political dialogue on Thursday after more than a year-long hiatus, according to the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

The meeting was chaired by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Leo Herrera-Lim and Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General for Ocean Affairs Hou Yanqi. It was held a day ahead of the next round of negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea between senior officials of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), also taking place here.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) did not provide specific details on the discussions but said both sides had a candid exchange of views on bilateral relations, maritime-related concerns, and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

“They underscored the importance of sustained diplomatic dialogue and continued cooperation across all sectors,” the DFA said in a text message to reporters on Thursday night.

In an earlier statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Beijing is “actively facilitating potential cooperation” with the Philippines in clean energy, the digital economy, waste-to-energy projects, agriculture, and poverty reduction.

The resumption of talks followed a heated exchange earlier this month between the Chinese Embassy and Filipino officials over issues related to the West Philippine Sea.

On Thursday, Malacañang said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. supports a “firm with diplomacy” approach in addressing the war of words, which has since escalated into proposals in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to declare certain Chinese Embassy officials persona non grata. (PNA)