PBBM accepts China’s invitation to visit Beijing

FILE: President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gestures as he addresses reporters during a press briefing at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang, Tuesday, July 5, 2022. He met the press following the first meeting of his Cabinet. ROBINSON NIÑAL

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has accepted the Chinese government’s invitation to visit China, Malacañang said on Friday.

Press Secretary Beatrix Rose “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles confirmed that Marcos accepted the invitation during his recent meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

“There was an invitation but there is no date set as of yet,” Cruz-Angeles told Palace reporters.

In a Twitter post, Marcos said he and Wang, in a meeting held at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, discussed a wide range of issues, among them infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and bilateral ties.

Marcos said there was also a commitment to maintaining the “strong relationship” between the two countries under his leadership.

He, however, did not mention whether the South China Sea (SCS) issue was tackled during the meeting.

Cruz-Angeles said the President told Wang about his intention to bring the Philippines’ bilateral ties with China “to a higher level.”

“Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the cooperation between China and the Philippines, and that this transcends any maritime disputes. And he reiterates that the friendship between the two sides has lasted for many years. This was mutually agreed upon,” she said.

In a media interview on Tuesday, Marcos said he would not limit the discussions with Wang to the SCS issue, noting that other matters need to be touched on to “normalize” the relationship between the Philippines and China.

China, the Philippines, and several other littoral states are locked in a territorial dispute over the SCS where Beijing claims about 80 percent of the strategic waters.