PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—Without a chance for a formal bilateral talk, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met at the sidelines of the ASEAN-Plus Three (APT) Summit here only for a brief conversation that led to an agreement of strengthening ties of both countries.
Since there was not enough time to go deeper into how the country's boosting of the cooperation, the two officials agreed that Marcos may discuss how to deepen the partnership of the two countries once he flies to China for a state visit in January 2023.
Talking to Marcos through an interpreter, Li said he believes there should be continued growth of China-Philippines relations as he underscored that what the two countries have in common "far outweighs" their differences, to which the Philippine leader agreed.
“I absolutely agree. And I thank you for remembering my father and his initiative to come to China and it was he after all who made Philippines and China family,” Marcos said in response.
During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to the Philippines in July, the governments of both countries agreed to work on agriculture, infrastructure, energy and people-to-people exchanges.
Marcos said he looks forward to discussing all possible partnerships with China as he said “it has been proven right because the partnership with China has been a great benefit to both our countries.”
Li responded by saying he also looks forward to working with the Philippines in upholding the unity and cooperation between China and ASEAN.
“I look forward to working with the Philippines to uphold the unity and cooperation between China and ASEAN and also look forward to working with the Philippines and other countries in ASEAN for peace and stability in South China Sea on the basis of mutual respect and respect for the DOC and international law including the 1982 UNCLOS,” Li added.