President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he was aware of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China.
In an interview with reporters, Marcos said he hoped that the Chinese leader and Duterte discussed the current issues between Beijing and Manila, referring to the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
“I hope they talked about all of these things so that we can make progress because that’s what we aim for — to continue the dialogue,” Marcos said.
He said that he welcomed new lines of communication between the Philippines and China, expressing hope that Duterte could provide a report on the meeting.
“If it’s (former) President (Duterte), then good. It’s not important to me who or what it is, as long as they can talk and possibly help,” Marcos said.
“I am sure that he will not come back without a report. I am sure he will be able to tell us what happened during their conversation and see how that affects us,” he added.
Asked if he gave Duterte his blessing to go to China, the President said, “No. For permission? I knew that he was going, and that they are friends, [that] they know each other.”
Heightened tensions
The meeting between Duterte and Xi Jinping came amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea.
The Philippines has repeatedly asserted its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, which is part of the SCS, while China has been expanding its presence in the area.
Responsible leader
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi described former President Duterte as a “responsible leader” for the Filipinos who is respectful of history, according to Beijing’s Defense attaché.
In an English-translated statement of the Chinese Defense attaché, Major Gen. Wang Zheng said Duterte was recognized for strategically strengthening ties between the Philippines and China during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
“President Xi pointed out that during PRRDs tenure as president of the Philippines, with an attitude of being responsible to the people and history, he resolutely made the strategic choice to improve relations with China, and China-Philippines relations were brought back on the right track and developed vigorously, making important contributions to the friendly exchanges between the two countries,” Wang said.
Wang emphasized that both China and the Philippines are “developing countries in Asia,” adding that China has always been committed to building friendships and partnerships with its neighbors.
For his part, Duterte thanked Beijing for its support of the Philippines’ economic and social development efforts. He also acknowledged China’s “generosity” to the Philippines at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.