Philippines, China finalizing joint coast guard agreement

MANILA and Beijing are finalizing details of a cooperation agreement between the Philippine Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard as they move to conclude negotiations, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday.

“There is an ongoing effort to conclude a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard,” DFA Maritime Affairs spokesman Rogelio E. Villanueva, Jr. told a news briefing.

He added that the details of the MoU are still up for discussion and negotiations between the two parties.

The Foreign Affairs department earlier disclosed plans to draft an MoU to address operational issues and prevent further incidents in the South China Sea.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have intensified amid repeated encounters at in the South China Sea between their vessels.

“The MoU serves as a confidence-building measure. We would want to hold the negotiations and to conclude this MoU as soon as possible,” Mr. Villanueva said, noting that the conclusion of talks does not have a definite timeline.

He added that it had also held talks with its Chinese foreign ministry counterparts in Beijing last month, where parties discussed views on maritime domain.

“Both sides had an open and candid exchange of views on prevailing bilateral concerns, including in the maritime domain, and explored possible areas of mutually beneficial cooperation,” he said.

The DFA official also said that discussion centered on a possible schedule for the next bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) between Manila and Beijing.

“We are working closely with the Chinese side to determine the most opportune time and the right environment to hold this BCM,” Mr. Villanueva said. “The DFA will announce soon when this will take place.”

The BCM was established in 2017 as a diplomatic venue for both countries to discuss issues of mutual concern and explore areas of cooperation, particularly in oil and gas development. The Philippines and China last held this meeting in January 2025.

He added that both countries will also hold monthly meetings to finalize the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea, which the Philippines aims to complete within the year as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“There are monthly meetings already taking place. Next week we’ll have another meeting to take place on CoC negotiations in Thailand,” he said. “There will be monthly meetings until the end of the year.”

The proposed sea code will implement rules for maritime conduct, dispute resolution and conflict prevention in the South China Sea, where China has continued to assert and expand its presence.

This is despite a 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal that voided its expansive claims, which China continues to disregard.

Philippine officials have reported incidents involving Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including harassment, such as the use of water cannons on Philippine boats, the conduct of dangerous maneuvers, and swarming near features Manila considers part of its exclusive economic zone. — Adrian H. Halili