Marcos, Chinese Premier Li agree to deepen Philippines-China ties

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday agreed to further deepen the partnership between the Philippines and China.

In a statement, the Office of the Press Secretary said Marcos and Li had a brief conversation on the sidelines of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Plus Three Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The Palace said the President will visit China in early January 2023 upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit. Marcos’ state visit will take place from January 3 to 5 or 6, 2023.

Speaking through an interpreter, Li said he believes there should be continued growth of China-Philippines relations, underscoring that what the two countries have in common "far outweighs" their differences, to which the Philippine leader agreed.

“I absolutely agree. And I thank you for remembering my father and his initiative to come to China and it was he after all who made the Philippines and China family,” Marcos told Li.

Remembering China’s previous condition, Li said it took courage for the President’s father, the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., to visit China back in those days.

“It did, but it was something very important to us… He has been proven right because the partnership with China has been a great benefit to both our countries,” Marcos, referring to his father’s 1975 visit to China, said.

“So I look forward to discussing all of these when I come to visit in January,” Marcos added.

Li said he also looks forward to working with the Philippines in upholding the unity and cooperation between China and ASEAN.

The Chinese premier also said he looks forward to working with the Philippines and other countries in ASEAN for peace and stability in South China Sea on the basis of mutual respect and respect for the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“And also let’s work together for successful meetings,” Li said.

The ASEAN-Plus Three consists of the 10 ASEAN member states, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. —KG, GMA Integrated News