Marcos: Talks with China's Qin useful as recent statements may be misinterpreted

As Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang paid a courtesy visit on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at Malacañang on Saturday, Marcos called the meeting "useful" as recent statements made by the Philippines and China may have been misinterpreted.

“Some of the pronouncements that have been made recently by our two countries and many other countries might be misinterpreted,” said Marcos, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

"So today it was really useful that we were able to speak with Minister Qin Gang, the Foreign Minister of China, so we can talk directly to one another and iron things out,” he added.

Marcos earlier admitted that he was surprised by the recent remarks of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, adding that he would speak with him soon to get a clarification.

To recall, China recently advised the Philippines to oppose Taiwan’s independence instead of offering the United States’ access to military facilities near the Taiwan Strait.

Huang said the Philippine government should do this if it cares for the 150,000 overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Marcos said he and Qin had a “very productive” meeting and were able to talk about the growing relationship between the Philippines and China.

"It’s very, very useful and very, very productive that Minister Qin came here and that we were able to talk things a little bit through, make plans for the future, continue to work on growing the relationship between the Philippines and China, not only in the economic field but in the cultural and educational and other exchanges,” the President said.

As to possible conflicts, Marcos said he and Qin agreed to establish more lines of communications so that any event that occurs in the West Philippine Sea that involves China and the Philippines could immediately be resolved.

“So we are currently working on that and are awaiting the Chinese response and we are confident that these issues would be worked out that would be mutually beneficial for both our nations,” he added.

Qin was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador Huang during the meeting, according to a “24 Oras Weekend” report on Saturday.

Several government officials, including Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, also attended the meeting.

Manalo and Qin earlier held a bilateral meeting.

During the meeting, the Foreign Affairs Secretary said “differences” between the Philippines and China should not stand in the way of managing the two countries’ territorial dispute in the South China Sea, adding Manila intended to “work closely” with Beijing in bolstering their economic ties.

For his part, Qin said China and the Philippines “need to work together to continue our tradition of friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and properly resolve our differences in the spirit of credibility, consultation and dialogue.”

Meanwhile, Manalo urged China to “endeavor to elevate our bilateral relations to even greater heights” and “do everything possible to ensure that the Philippines and China will continue the positive trajectory of our relations which has been elevated to that of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation since 2018.”

He added that he would push for further diversification of the two countries’ economic relations and “close off the trade gap between our two economies.” — Richa Noriega/DVM, GMA Integrated News