Marcos lauds China Communist Party Congress, vows to bring closer Manila and Beijing

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday congratulated China following its Communist Party Congress, saying that Philippines will continue to strengthen its ties with Beijing.

Xi Jinping had secured a third term as China's leader after the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party elected him as its general secretary for another five-year term.

Marcos made the remark in Davao City during his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge project. He began his speech by congratulating Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, who was also at the event, "for the successful conduct of the Communist Party Conference."

"We look forward to building upon the directions that your President, President Xi Jinping has given to the People's Republic of China, in partnership with the Philippines," Marcos said.

"We look forward to continuing to strengthen and to bring closer our two countries," Marcos added.

The said bridge project, which is expected to boost tourism and economy in Davao, will be funded through a loan agreement worth US$350 million or P18.67 billion between the Philippines and China.

Marcos earlier said the Philippines would continue to engage China on people to people, economic relationships, and cultural exchanges.

This despite the long-standing maritime dispute between the Philippines and China as the latter claims almost the entirety of South China Sea, which overlaps with the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos had said the “differences” between Manila and Beijing concerning maritime claims should not be “the defining element of our relationship.”

On the part of Beijing, Huang had said China and the Philippines have worked together over the years to explore development paths suited to their national realities. — RSJ, GMA News