Key facts
- Wang Yi said a small number of Philippine politicians had crossed China's red lines, without naming them or the remarks.
- Wang asked Manila to strengthen oversight of those individuals and send a unified message on its China policy.
- Lazaro described the call as frank and constructive and said both sides backed continued diplomatic dialogue.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Philippine counterpart, Theresa Lazaro, in a phone call on November 3 that a small number of Philippine politicians had repeatedly attacked and smeared China out of political prejudice and for their own interests, crossing China's red lines, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. Wang urged Manila to strengthen oversight of those individuals and to send a rational and unified message on its China policy, saying bilateral relations were facing malicious interference.
Lazaro said in a social media post that the conversation was frank and constructive and that both sides emphasized the need for continued diplomatic dialogue and the proper management of differences anchored on mutual respect.
The exchange follows several diplomatic incidents. Beijing accused Manila last week of erecting multiple obstacles to its attendance at a regional meeting in the Philippines, a claim the Philippine defense chief rejected. Earlier in October, the Philippine foreign ministry summoned China's ambassador after he said China would easily win a conflict between the countries, and some local senators called for his expulsion.