BANGKOK, Thailand — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed support for the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea in a bid to manage regional differences and tensions.
Although the extent of the two leaders' conversation about the long-standing maritime dispute was not elaborated on, they both agreed that "maritime issues do not define the totality of Philippines-China relations."
Marcos and Xi met here for the first time in a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit on Nov. 17.
“Our foreign policy refuses to fall into the trap of a Cold War mindset. Ours is an independent foreign policy guided by our national interest and commitment to peace,” Marcos said.
According to the President, they reaffirmed their support for the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea to help manage differences and regional tensions.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy said "the two sides must stick to friendly consultation and handle differences and disputes properly."
It added that the two countries "should work together to reject unilateralism and acts of bullying, defend fairness and justice, and safeguard peace and stability in the region."
During the bilateral meeting, both leaders agreed to consider more infrastructure projects. Xi cited the Davao-Samal bridge project in Davao as a prime example of infrastructure partnership. He also thanked President Marcos for personally attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge project.
The Chinese leader said that China was open to increasing the importation of quality agricultural produce from the Philippines, highlighting the planned entry of durian from the Philippines to the Chinese market.
Marcos also accepted the invitation from his counterpart for a state visit to China in early January next year.
Marcos was joined in the meeting by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Secretary for Trade and Industry Alfredo Pascual, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, Jr., Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Chief of Presidential Protocol Adelio Angelito Cruz, Office of the Press Secretary-OIC Undersecretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, and DFA Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial.
READ MORE: Marcos, Xi Jinping meet for the first time, had a ‘pleasant exchange’