South China Sea Issue "Friendly Negotiations" in Unison
President Marcos "Supports One China"
Chairman Xi Jinping "Strengthening Energy Cooperation"
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Kim Hyun-jung] "China and the Philippines are close neighbors who help each other through a thousand years of exchange." (Xi Jinping, President of China)
"Although it has only been 48 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations, the friendship between our peoples has already surpassed a thousand years." (Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines)
China and the Philippines have pledged close communication and comprehensive cooperation, joining hands. The tensions that had escalated due to the South China Sea territorial disputes have been resolved, and there are evaluations that a 'new golden era' in bilateral relations has begun.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 5th, President Xi Jinping and President Marcos held a summit the previous day at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, signing cooperation documents in areas such as the Belt and Road Initiative, agriculture and fisheries, infrastructure, finance, customs, e-commerce, and tourism. This followed the state visit welcoming ceremony for President Marcos, which included a salute of cannons at Tiananmen Square and a parade by the People's Liberation Army honor guard.
At the meeting, President Xi said, "He is the first foreign leader China is hosting this year," adding, "This shows the close relationship between China and the Philippines and the very important exchange between our countries." He emphasized, "The friendship with the Marcos family is very precious," and expressed hope that "this visit to China will not be merely a nostalgic trip but a journey of pioneering."
He also expressed intentions for discussions and negotiations related to the South China Sea issue. President Xi particularly stated, "The two countries have mutually complementary advantages in fossil fuels and clean energy," and said, "We hope to properly handle maritime issues through friendly negotiations and resume negotiations on oil and gas development." Additionally, mentioning cooperation in COVID-19 vaccine research and development, he added, "I believe that soon the peoples of both countries will be able to restore exchanges as before."
President Marcos also responded, saying, "Through this visit, I want to let the world know that the relationship between our two countries is very good and important," and "I will closely communicate with President Xi to open a new chapter of comprehensive and strategic cooperative relations." In particular, he stated his position on the Taiwan issue by affirming "adherence to the One-China policy," and emphasized, "We are willing to properly handle maritime issues and resume negotiations on oil and gas development." Seemingly aware of the recent international community's strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from China, he added, "I hope more Chinese people will travel to and study in the Philippines."
During President Marcos's visit to China, both sides are expected to separately issue a joint statement. Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, and He Lifeng, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the National Development and Reform Commission, also attended the welcoming ceremony and related events.
China's state-run Global Times (GT) reported after the summit that "the two leaders expressed hope, confidence, and determination to develop bilateral relations to a higher level," and "this proves that external forces such as the United States have no room to intervene in the South China Sea situation or hinder the promotion of joint development." It added, "Bilateral relations have entered a new golden era and will significantly strengthen cooperation."
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