On January 29, 2026, Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Hou Yanqi met with Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Leo M. Herrera-Lim and Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Marshall Louis M. Alferez in Cebu, the Philippines. This marked the resumption of political dialogue between the two countries after more than a year-long hiatus. The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on maritime affairs and other issues of mutual interest and agreed to continue to maintain communication through diplomatic channels.