PRESIDENT Bongbong Marcos, Jr. welcomed in a courtesy call Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, it was agreed at the meeting to establish more lines of communication in relation to the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
This is for a more orderly and immediate resolution of issues between the Philippines and China related to WPS.
President Marcos expressed confidence that such issues will be resolved and will be beneficial for both countries.
Meeting of pres. Marcos, Chinese FM Qin, productive
Overall, President Marcos Jr. and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s meeting at the Malacañang Palace on April 22 was productive.
PBBM and Minister Qin also discussed the cooperation between the Philippines and China in the fields of education, culture, economy, and others.
Also included in the meeting were Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Special Assistant to President Anton Lagdameo, and others.
The meeting between President Marcos Jr. and Minister Qin Gang can be considered useful and productive as they were able to iron out the misinterpreted pronouncements between the Philippines and China.
It can be remembered that Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian’s statement saying the Philippines should oppose “Taiwan independence” amid the United States expanded access to Philippine military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA attracted controversy.
Meanwhile, Marcos and Qin discussed making plans for the future and continuing to work on developing the relationship between the Philippines and China.
Before this, Qin spoke with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.
Minister Qin had a 3-day official visit to the Philippines from the 21st to the 23rd of April 2023 at the invitation of Secretary Manalo.
And it can be noted that this is Qin’s first official engagement with the Philippines since his appointment as Foreign Minister and State Councilor in late December 2022 and early March 2023.
