A month ahead of Philippine presidential elections, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the democratic Southeast Asian nation to steer clear of any “disturbances” in its broadly friendly relations with China under outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte. During a meeting with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr, the senior Chinese diplomat emphasized the need for “continuity and stability” as well as “good-neighborly and friendly policy” between the two nations. The comments came weeks after the Philippines filed diplomatic protests following the alleged harassment of Philippine patrols vessels by Chinese coast guard forces in the South China Sea. A Philippine research vessel was also reportedly shadowed by the Chinese coast guard across the Philippines’ northern waters near Taiwan.

Heydarian, R. J. (2022, April 11). China Looms Large on Philippine Campaign Trail. DailyGuardian, pp. 4, 10.