Marcos Jr. to discuss political security issues with Xi Jinping

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. FILE

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will discuss political security issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his three-day visit to China this week.

Marcos said he looks forward to meeting with Xi and discussing various issues, including strengthening the ties between China and the Philippines.

“I look forward to my meeting with President Xi as we work towards shifting the trajectory of our relations to a higher gear that would hopefully bring numerous prospects and abundant opportunities for the peace and development to the peoples of both our countries,” he said in his pre-departure speech in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City before he departed for China.

Marcos said he would also discuss issues to resolve problems between the two nations.

“In this regard, I also look forward to discussing political-security issues of a bilateral and regional nature. The issues between our two countries are problems that do not belong between two friends such as the Philippines and China,” the President said.

“We will seek to resolve those issues to the mutual benefit of our two countries,” he added.

Marcos departed for China on Tuesday afternoon. He said that during his trip, the Philippines is expected to ink more than 10 key bilateral agreements with China, which will be on top of the over 100 existing agreements between the two countries.

On Wednesday, Jan. 4, Marcos will have meetings lined up with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Li Zhanshu, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and his Chinese counterpart Xi.

According to the DFA, Xi will host a dinner banquet for the Philippine delegation after meeting with Marcos.

This will be the two leaders’ second meeting after they met in Thailand last November on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.

JPV/abc