DFA chief makes ‘strong protest’ to China’s Wang over South China Sea encounter

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, 22 July 2026. (Rolex Dela Pena/Pool via Reuters)

— The Philippine foreign minister said on Wednesday she held talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and made a “strong protest” over what she called an unacceptable incident this week in the South China Sea.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro also said on a post on X that the two “discussed the importance of keeping communication lines open, managing tensions, and pursuing practical ways forward.”

—Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by David Stanway

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