First China-Philippines talks in over a year: is a South China Sea thaw in the offing?

Philippine president rejects calls for Manila to declare Chinese ambassador persona non grata even as frictions spike in South China Sea

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Chinese and Philippine officials hold talks in Cebu on January 29. Photo: X/Chinaembmanila

Published: 6:00pm, 8 Feb 2026Updated: 8:34pm, 8 Feb 2026

A war of words between Chinese diplomats and Philippine politicians over the disputed South China Sea has prompted calls in Manila to declare the Chinese ambassador persona non grata – the second such call in three years.

While Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has rejected the idea, the latest spike in tensions led to officials of the two countries breaking a year-long hiatus and sitting down for talks in Cebu.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, the talks on January 29 were frank and in-depth, and the two sides “agreed to continue to maintain communication through diplomatic channels”.

As Beijing and Manila appear to recalibrate their diplomatic approaches, observers say this could help the rival claimants navigate geopolitical uncertainties arising from US policy shifts under President Donald Trump.

In an apparent move to stabilise bilateral ties, China’s ambassador to the Philippines revealed last month that the two countries had reached a “preliminary consensus on a road map” to help manage South China Sea tensions.

“Any conflict would inevitably harm the long-term relationship between our two neighbouring countries. So, the best option is to sit down for talks and solutions in a diplomatic way,” said ambassador Jing Quan, previously the second-in-command at the Chinese embassy in Washington.

The change in dynamics comes at a time when policymakers around the world are carefully assessing the fallout of the US abduction of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro last month, which many see as underscoring Washington’s increased focus on the western hemisphere.

First China-Philippines talks in over a year: is a South China Sea thaw in the offing?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Philippine president rejects calls for Manila to declare Chinese ambassador persona non grata even as frictions spike in South China Sea

Philippine president rejects calls for Manila to declare Chinese ambassador persona non grata even as frictions spike in South China Sea