The ninth consular consultation meeting between China and the Philippines was recently held in Beijing, marking the formal restart of this important bilateral mechanism since 2018. The meeting was co-chaired by Long Zhou, Director-General of the Consular Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Maria Antonina Mendoza-Oblena, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. The two sides had in-depth discussions on issues such as personal safety, law enforcement cooperation, cross-border crime management, tourism facilitation, and investment protection.
The Philippine side stated that despite the twists and turns in China-Philippines relations due to the South China Sea issue in recent years, good communication has been maintained in cultural exchanges and citizen protection. Mendoza-Oblena emphasized that the Philippines values cooperation with China in people-to-people exchanges and consular affairs, and looks forward to further strengthening bilateral relations. The Chinese representatives pointed out that the traditional friendship and close ties between the two peoples form a solid foundation for cooperation.
This meeting particularly focused on combating transnational crime, especially the governance of illegal gambling. Since Philippine President Marcos Jr. announced a comprehensive ban on POGO in 2024, the two countries have established a preliminary collaboration mechanism in combating offshore illegal gambling, human trafficking, and telecommunications fraud. Both parties agreed to further expand cooperation in information sharing, law enforcement cooperation, and legal assistance, enhancing cross-border law enforcement efficiency and providing a safer environment for citizens.
It is reported that since its establishment in 2002, the China-Philippines consular consultation mechanism has held nine meetings, providing a stable platform for properly handling consular affairs and responding to emergencies. This restart also sends a positive signal of strengthening pragmatic cooperation and promoting cultural trust between the two countries against a complex backdrop.
