Malacañang revealed that the Chinese government initiated the upcoming meeting between President Duterte and President Xi Jinping but said it was still in the preparatory stage.
Communications Undersecretary Kris Ablan made this statement after President Duterte said on Thursday, March 31, that Xi had expressed his intention to talk to him. They are scheduled to have the meeting on April 8.
In a press briefing, Ablan said that the meeting would not be face-to-face.
"Ang alam po natin ay online po ang meeting na ito sa darating po na April 8 (What we know is it will be held online on April 8)," he said Friday, April 1.
He did not provide details about what Duterte and Xi may discuss.
"Insofar as we're concerned, this meeting is still in the preparatory stage," Ablan said.
"Kung ano ang magiging issues tsaka matters na pagdi-discuss ng world leaders na ito ay malalaman natin in the coming days (We'll know in the coming days what are the issues and matters that these two leaders will tackle)," he added.
In a speech in Lapu-Lapu City on Thursday, President Duterte said he is scheduled to talk to President Xi on April 8. While he was not specific about their discussion, he expressed concern about the Ukraine-Russia conflict spilling over to the Philippines.
"Mag-usap kami ni Xi Jinping kasi, siguro, yung sabi ko na... Para masabi ko lang na (President Xi and I will talk because... perhaps... so I can say that) the Philippines might really be included in the vortex of giyera dito," he said.
"'Pag tinamaan ang Russia ng nuclear o ang Russia ang unang magtira (If Russia is hit with a nuclear weapon or if it strikes first), then there will be serious trouble, and China will not just sit idly there," he added.
According to the President, the Philippines will undoubtedly be affected by a "full-scale war" because of the presence of American forces in the country. He has decided to allow the United States of America (USA) to use the Philippines' bases in fear of a spillover of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Despite this, Duterte reiterated that he would not allow the country's soldiers to participate in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Since early March, President Duterte has maintained that the Philippines is neutral on the ongoing hostilities in Europe.