Diplomatic Tensions Rise in Asia as China-Japan Foreign Ministers "Contact" Dispute Escalates During ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting
From July 19 to 24, 2026, Manila hosted the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, drawing delegates from nearly 70 countries and international groups.
ASIA,POLITICS
Global N Press
7/27/20261 min read
From July 19 to 24, 2026, the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings were held in Manila, the Philippines, with foreign ministers and representatives from nearly 70 countries and international organizations in attendance. The meetings, the first since Timor-Leste became ASEAN's 11th member, coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and were widely seen as a key window for observing geopolitical dynamics and major-power relations in the Asia-Pacific region.
However, a diplomatic dispute erupted during the meetings over whether the Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers had "contact." On July 22, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told reporters that he had "engaged" with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines and discussed bilateral relations.
Japanese media including Kyodo News described this as the first conversation between the two foreign ministers since bilateral ties deteriorated following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan in November of the previous year. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a regular press conference on July 27: "I can tell you once again very clearly that during this period in Manila, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had no scheduled meeting with the Japanese side, nor was there any brief exchange on site."
China did not provide a specific reason for Wang Yi's absence from the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where Vice Minister Hua Chunying represented China instead. On the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings, the foreign ministers of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia also held a Quad meeting, discussing strengthened support for ASEAN through maritime security cooperation and issuing a joint document. Analysts suggest that the conflicting claims over whether the foreign ministers met reflect deepening major-power rivalry and a lack of mutual trust in the region.
