Marcos hails 'successful' Communist Party Congress; wants closer ties with China
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday, Oct. 27, congratulated China after concluding its Communist Party Congress, with Chinese President Xi Jinping securing a third term as general secretary of the ruling party.

Marcos greeted China’s “successful conduct of the Communist Party Conference” through Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian.
The ambassador was present during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge project, which China helped fund by financing US$350 million or P18.67 billion in concessional loan.
Marcos said the Philippines will continue to strengthen its ties with Beijing.
“We look forward to building upon the directions that your President—that President Xi Jinping has given to the People’s Republic of China in partnership with the Philippines,” the President said.
READ: China a ‘dependable partner’ in PH infrastructure program — Marcos
“We look forward to continuing to strengthen and to bring closer our two countries,” he added.
The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party elected Xi as its general secretary for another five-year term.
In Davao City, Vice President Sara Duterte also congratulated President Xi for securing a “historic” third term following China’s Communist Party Congress.
“We look forward to our continuing good relations with the People's Republic of China and the Philippines and we can see that with our event today,” she said.
Earlier, the President already vowed for the Philippines’ willingness to continue engaging China on people-to-people and economic relations, as well as cultural exchanges.
This renewed will to strengthen relations with the economic giant comes amid long-standing maritime and territorial issues between the Philippines and China since the latter claims almost the entire West Philippine Sea, including the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.