Marcos: Philippines has not shifted away from China in any way

The Philippines has not shifted away from China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday.

In a chance interview after an event on the 48th anniversary of Philippine-Chinese diplomatic relations, Marcos said the relationship between Manila and Beijing "has not changed in any fundamental sense."

"Some people have said that the Philippines has shifted its policy away from the People's Republic to other power... That is certainly not true, we have not shifted away from China in any way or whatsoever," Marcos said.

"We continue to foster the friendship, relationship, the partnership that we have been developing with China since 1974 and 1975 when it became official," he added.

The President said the search continued for solutions that would address the challenges jointly faced by the Philippines and China. He said that the differences between the two nations did not define the entirety of their ties.

"Now, of course, as to the differences between China and the Philippines, certainly they exist but it is not something that will define our relationship. It is something that we will continue to work to resolve and make sure that the peace and the safe passage across the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea is ensured," Marcos said.

Marcos witnessed the awarding ceremony of the Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU).

His predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, is one of the awardees of the APPCU. The former Chief Executive was not present during the awarding ceremony and it was former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea who received the Hall of Fame award on behalf of Duterte.

During Duterte's presidency, Manila and Beijing maintained cordial ties. However, China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea have resulted in diplomatic protests filed by the Philippines.

The Duterte administration also partnered with China for the development of several infrastructure projects in the country and received pandemic aid such as the coronavirus vaccines.

In his speech during the event, Marcos acknowledged Duterte's efforts on establishing a more resilient Philippines.

"Perhaps the highlight of this Awards night is the high recognition bestowed to the former President of our Republic—our Tatay Digong Duterte. And I join the entire nation in recognizing the former President for his strong leadership and for all that he has done in building a more resilient nation," Marcos said.

Marcos vowed that his administration would exert its utmost efforts to strengthen the relationship between Manila and Beijing.

He said the two countries should be bound by similarities as well as their common purpose and goals.

"We will strive to make it more comprehensive, more strategic, all with a view to advancing the paramount interests of both our nations and our peoples," Marcos said.

"It is my firm belief that our relationship must not be defined by our innate differences. We may have such differences, all friends do. But we recognize in the Philippines the commitment of President Xi and the People’s Republic of China to overcome such difficulties and I can assure our good Ambassador here that that commitment also is present in the Philippines’ efforts to bring us closer together — the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China," he added.

Other recipients of the award include former Special Envoy of the President to the People's Republic of China Ambassador Carlos Chan, columnist and Ambassador Rigoberto Tiglao, former Special Envoy to the People's Republic of China, Trade and Investments Jaime Cruz, Director of the Satellite Office of Vice President Sara Duterte in Davao City Regina Rose Tecson, and former chairman of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Baguio City Jose Ong Tajan. —NB, GMA Integrated News