On May 21, 2021, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Jianghao and Philippine Deputy Foreign Minister Elizabeth Buensuceso co-chaired the Sixth Meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea via video link.

Wu Jianghao said, under the joint guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Duterte, China-Philippines relations have maintained a healthy and stable development in recent years. The two sides have made efforts to enhance political mutual trust and cooperate on an extensive and intensive basis, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples. We should strictly follow and fully implement a series of important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries on the South China Sea-related issue, and make positive contributions to maintaining friendly relations between the two countries and peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Noting that the BCM is an important initiative to implement the consensus of the leaders of the two countries and also a platform for the two sides to have candid and pragmatic exchanges on the South China Sea-related issue, Elizabeth said, the two sides should carry out dialogue and exchanges in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect, and translate the results of the dialogue into practical actions for greater development of relations between the two countries.

The two sides spoke positively of the efforts made by both China and ASEAN countries to maintain the momentum of consultations on entering into a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in spite of the difficulties brought by COVID-19. Both sides frankly stated their positions on issues of common and respective concerns, and had in-depth discussion on the cooperation in maritime, oil and gas, fisheries, environmental protection, maritime search and rescue, marine scientific research and other areas.

Representatives from Chinese and Philippine departments related to foreign affairs, national defense, natural resources, ecological environment, transportation, agriculture, energy and coast guard attended the meeting. During the meeting, three working groups under the BCM, including Political and Security Affairs, Fisheries Affairs, Marine Scientific Research and Environmental Protection, also held meetings.