Lazaro-Wang Meeting Set; Unclear if Racism Issue Will Be Raised

The Meeting of the Year

Maria Theresa Lazaro, the Foreign Affairs Secretary of the Philippines, is all set to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during this week's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) ministerial meetings in Manila. The meeting comes amidst growing concerns over racist depictions of Filipinos in a series of opinion videos and editorial cartoons published by state-run newspaper China Daily.

But will the two officials discuss this sensitive issue? It's unclear, as Asean 2026 spokesperson and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Dominic Xavier Imperial declined to comment on the matter when asked. 'We've not received any confirmation yet on whether the issue will be raised or not,' Imperial said.

Wang Yi's attendance at the meetings has been confirmed by Imperial, and it's expected that Lazaro and Wang will discuss regional security, trade, and economics. But with tensions high over the racist depictions, it remains to be seen whether the issue will be brought up during their meeting.

China Daily's Racist Cartoons

The cartoons, which were published in March, showed Filipinos as lazy, uneducated, and unproductive individuals. They sparked outrage in the Philippines and were widely condemned by human rights groups. China Daily later apologized for the cartoons, but many believe that the apology was insincere.

The Philippines' Diplomatic Efforts

The Philippines has long been a key partner of China in Southeast Asia, and Lazaro's meeting with Wang Yi is seen as an opportunity to strengthen ties between the two nations. However, the racist depictions have put a strain on these relations, and it's unclear how the issue will be resolved.

The Philippines has been pushing for greater representation in the Chinese media, and it's possible that Lazaro may raise this issue during her meeting with Wang Yi. But with China's growing influence in the region, it remains to be seen whether the Philippines will be able to persuade China to take action against the racist cartoons.

A History of China-Philippines Relations

The Philippines and China have a complex history, with periods of close cooperation and tension. In 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the Philippines would end its military alliance with the United States and pursue a foreign policy of engagement with China. However, the racist depictions in China Daily have put a strain on these relations.

In recent years, there have been several instances of racist and xenophobic violence against Chinese and other foreign nationals in the Philippines. The Philippine government has sought to crack down on these incidents, but the racist depictions in China Daily have raised concerns about the safety of Filipino workers and students in China.

The meeting between Lazaro and Wang Yi is seen as an opportunity to address these concerns and strengthen ties between the two nations. However, with tensions high over the racist depictions, it remains to be seen whether the issue will be resolved.

A Test of China-Philippines Relations

The meeting between Lazaro and Wang Yi is seen as a test of China-Philippines relations, which have been strained by the racist depictions. If the issue is not raised during the meeting, it may indicate a lack of interest on the part of China in addressing the concerns of the Philippines.

However, if the issue is raised and China agrees to take action, it may indicate a willingness on the part of China to address the concerns of its neighbors. Either way, the meeting is seen as a crucial moment in the development of China-Philippines relations, and its outcome will have implications for the wider region.

The Way Forward

The meeting between Lazaro and Wang Yi is just the beginning of a long process of dialogue and engagement between the two nations. If China agrees to take action against the racist cartoons, it may indicate a willingness on the part of China to address the concerns of its neighbors.

However, if the issue is not raised during the meeting, it may indicate a lack of interest on the part of China in addressing the concerns of the Philippines. Either way, the meeting is seen as a crucial moment in the development of China-Philippines relations, and its outcome will have implications for the wider region.