BEIJING—More engagements between the government and Beijing are now set to resolve the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) following the meeting of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the National Congress of the People’s Republic of China Chairman Li Zhanshu on Wednesday.
In an interview with reporters, House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez said during the talk, it was discussed that the deployment of a Philippine Congressional delegation to China is now being discussed to help resolve the issue and further strengthen the country’s bilateral relations with Beijing.
Romualdez was part of the Philippine delegates who accompanied Marcos during his meeting with Li. “There could be further visits to thresh it out because it is a short visit,” Romualdez said.
The first State Visit of Marcos in China only lasted from January 3 to 5.
During the meeting, Romualdez said they are now considering resolving the WPS dispute with less third-party intervention.
“We are open to that approach in the backdrop of a very very strong diplomatic relations that we already have established,” he added.
As additional assurance to stabilize the country’s diplomatic relations with China, Romualdez said he was asked by Marcos to maintain an open personal communication with Li.
“We have gotten each other’s contact already and we will start calling one another. Direct people-to-people, person-to-person relationship. I think it will go far in helping these contentious issues that have seen to have plagued the overall good relations of the two countries,” Romualdez said.
With the issue already being resolved, Marcos said he is now looking forward to more cooperation with China on trade and infrastructure.
Marcos made the statement during his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Kequiang.
“It is very important that these partnerships continue to be strong, continue to be encouraged. And I think that will be the way forward to the mutual benefit of our countries,” Marcos said.
Marcos said they expect to secure aid from the Chinese government in the implementation of their “Build, Better, More” infrastructure projects including their Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) Network Master Plan.
“We have many, many, many areas that we continue to have cooperation in. And I think that they should be encouraged because they are in the precise areas that are necessary to develop so that we are strong financially as a country, we are strong in our society, and we are strong in our partnerships with our friends and allies around the world,” the President said.
Aside from Romualdez, other members of the delegates, who accompanied Marcos in his meeting with Li are First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senator Imee Marcos, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Anton Lagdameo.
Image credits: Shen Hong/Xinhua via AP