BANGKOK, Thailand —President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. revealed that all the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have invited him to visit their respective countries.
"What countries have invited me? All. What countries will I accept? All," Marcos told reporters in an interview following his APEC participation on Saturday, Nov. 19.
The President named some countries that invited him for a visit. These include Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and China.
His visit to China is already confirmed. It wi take place in January next year.
"I’d like to go to them all at some point. Pero (But) you know the scheduling, I have to go back to Manila, marami rin kaming kailangan ayusin at tapusin (we have a lot to fix)," Marcos said.
The chief executive underscored that having engagement with other foreign leaders is useful to both the Philippines and the region.
"It’s always very useful. Like for example, it’s really actually surprising, France, Canada, malalayo na ito (these are far countries) but they come. Russia even, United States, they come because it is well recognized that the Asia-Pacific region is still going to be the driver of the global economy, which starting already again," he said.
He also expressed hopes that the situation in Ukraine and Russia would calm down as "this area will be the ones that will be the driving force."
WATCH: President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. revealed that all members of APEC have invited him to visit their respective countries. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/vCA9NWjeih
— Betheena Unite (@MB_unite) November 19, 2022