The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will host the 23rd Philippines-China Foreign Ministry Consultations (FMC) and the 7th Bilateral Consultations Mechanism (BCM) on the West Philippine Sea, also known as the South China Sea, on March 23, and March 24, respectively.
DFA said that the meetings resulted from the visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to China last January.
"As reflected in the joint statement of the state visit, the two leaders concurred that confidence-building measures such as the FMC and BCM would contribute to improving mutual trust and confidence," DFA said on Monday, March 20, in a statement.
"They also affirmed the importance of both mechanisms as venues for the Philippines and China to foster cooperation and greater understanding as well as ease tensions," DFA added.
DFA said that the discussion will cover a broad number of issues, including economic, people-to-people, maritime, security, and regional matters.
"The FMC reviews the overall relations and all aspects of cooperation," DFA said.
"Meanwhile, the BCM covers maritime issues of concern to either side, including developments in the West Philippine Sea, and areas of possible maritime cooperation and confidence building," the department explained
