A message of peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity

As the Philippines takes on the esteemed role of ASEAN Chair for 2026, I would like to share with readers China’s recently concluded "Two Sessions" —the annual meetings of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Together, they send a clear message: China is committed to stability, openness, and shared opportunity, and continues to be a stabilizing anchor for regional security and an engine for common prosperity.

Under the strategic guidance of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, this year’s gathering was particularly significant as it outlined the blueprint for China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, a roadmap not just for our own development, but for our shared future with the region.

China has once again reaffirmed its commitment to "building a community with a shared future for mankind," with a special emphasis on our neighbors. As Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated during the press conference, China "always places the neighborhood as a priority in the overall diplomatic landscape" . This is not merely a diplomatic phrase. It is a guiding principle for China’s actions.

The Two Sessions reiterated that the South China Sea remains one of the world’s busiest but safest waterways for navigation. We believe that "peace, cooperation, and friendship are the new narrative of the South China Sea". Not long ago, China Coast Guard successfully rescued over a dozen Filipino crew members in distress at sea. This act of humanity demonstrates that despite our differences, the spirit of mutual aid prevails. The recent 24th Foreign Ministry Consultations and the 11th Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea held in Quanzhou reflect common efforts to manage differences through diplomacy.

The Two Sessions also reaffirmed China’s commitment to high-level opening up. China has consistently supported ASEAN centrality and worked closely with ASEAN countries to safeguard the multilateral trading system and keep regional industrial and supply chains stable and resilient. The “15th Five-Year Plan” aligns with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, creating vast opportunities for both sides.

Looking ahead, the future of China-Philippines relations lies in cooperation, not confrontation. The Two Sessions emphasized China's commitment to high-quality development and opening-up. This creates immense opportunities for our neighbors. We have already seen fruitful cooperation spanning agriculture, trade, infrastructure, fertilizers, renewable energy, and numerous other sectors. These are the issues that truly matter for the livelihoods of our peoples.

As the Philippines takes on the significant role of ASEAN Chair, standing at a pivotal juncture in regional history, we hope to see the Philippines make contributions that foster regional solidarity and progress, steering clear of any actions driven by limited, short-term gains which might inadvertently disrupt the hard-won stability our region enjoys.

It is our shared wish that external elements seeking to drive wedges between nations will find no fertile ground in our ties. For China, our stance in Asia has always been clear and consistent: we have never subscribed to the outdated logic of major powers vying for spheres of influence. Instead, we are committed to being a steady force that upholds regional stability, a dynamic engine that propels common development, and a dedicated partner that advances the shared values we hold dear across the region.

Let us work together to steer our bilateral relations back on track, ensuring that the spirit of "Bayanihan" continues to benefit our peoples and the wider region.

Zhang Zhen

Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu