President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will highlight the Philippines' stand in the South China Sea during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summits in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Marcos said he will use his participation in the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits to stress the country's advocacies in promoting a rules-based international order including in the South China Sea.
He will also take part in the ASEAN Plus 3 and East Asia Summits which will center on the recent developments in the South China Sea and other pressing regional issues.
"My participation will highlight our advocacies in promoting a rules-based international order including in the South China Sea," Marcos said before heading to Jakarta on Monday, Sept. 4.
In a recent interview, Marcos said the Philippines will respond to China's new map featuring the 10-dash line that occupies the entire South China Sea but did not divulge how.
He said the country will continue to stand its ground and defend its territory, leveraging the 2016 arbitral ruling favoring the country over the West Philippine Sea.
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The President is also expected to advance oher national concerns such as strengthening food security, calling for climate justice, tapping the potential of the digital and creative economies, protecting migrant workers in crisis situations, as well as combating trafficking in persons.
"I will also participate in the ASEAN Plus 3 and East Asia Summits during which we will discuss the developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar and the conflict in Ukraine as well as on other major power rivalries," he added.
Marcos said the second ASEAN summit this year provides a strategic opportunity for ASEAN to deepen its robust partnership with Australia, Canada, India, China, japan, Korea, the United States, and the United Nations (UN).
He further said that he will foster cooperation with these countries in areas such as trade and investment, climate action, food security, clean energy, and maritime cooperation.
The Chief Executive said he will also take the opportunity to meet bilateral partners at the sidelines of the ASEAN summit to advance cooperation that will benefit national priorities.
He assured the nation that the administration "will continue to ensure that our constructive engagements with ASEAN, our dialogue partners and stakeholders, serve our national interest and the wellbeing of the Filipino people."
Marcos was invited by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, this year's ASEAN Summit chair, to join the summits from Sept. 5 to 7.