Beijing: The Philippines and China engaged in discussions centered on the 'safety, rights, and welfare' of their nationals during a joint consular meeting held in Beijing on July 22, as reported by the Philippine Embassy in China on Wednesday. This meeting marked the first Joint Consular Consultation (JCC) since the previous session in Manila on July 24, 2019.

According to Philippines News Agency, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Maria Antonina Mendoza-Oblena and Chinese Foreign Ministry Director-General for Consular Affairs Long Zhou led the consultations. Both officials emphasized the longstanding friendship between their countries, acknowledging challenges but expressing a commitment to cooperation in protecting their nationals and fostering people-to-people exchanges.

The meeting served as a forum to discuss various issues, including law enforcement cooperation, trade, investment, and tourism. Both parties underscored their ongoing collaboration in combating transnational and other crimes such as illegal gambling. Mendoza-Oblena proposed enhancing information-sharing on law enforcement efforts.

The embassy highlighted the significance of engagement through this bilateral mechanism to improve management of consular cases, thereby facilitating people-to-people relationships. The recent decision by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in 2024 has reportedly strengthened Philippine-China cooperation in cracking down on illegal gambling activities.

However, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not confirmed if the issue of three Filipino nationals detained in China was addressed during the JCC. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro previously stated that the matter is regarded as a 'consular issue,' with the Philippine government providing full support to the detainees.

The JCC was established as an annual dialogue aimed at enhancing bilateral exchanges and resolving key consular challenges between the two countries.