Philippines, China pledge to improve relations amid South China Sea dispute

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang visited the Philippine capital Manila on April 22, 2023, as the two countries pledged to work on their maritime disputes over the South China Sea. The visit came just weeks after joint US-Philippines drills were held and after Manila unveiled four additional US military bases, two of which are close to Taiwan. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr also plans to visit Washington on May 1.