Xi calls Marcos, talks about China-PH relations

Presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo Source: Bongbong Marcos's official Facebook page and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

Presumptive Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday morning, May 18, to congratulate him and talk about further regional development and bilateral ties.

Days prior to this, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian paid a courtesy call to hand Macros a congratulatory letter from President Xi on winning the presidential election by a landslide.

In a Facebook post by the Chinese Ambassador, President Xi described Marcos as a ‘builder, supporter, and promoter of the China-Philippines friendship’ by witnessing and participating in the development of both countries.

Xi urged both countries to continue strengthening their relationship while staying true to their original aspiration.

“President Xi said the two countries should also grasp the general trend, write a grand story on the China-Philippines friendship in the new era, and follow through the blueprint for bilateral friendly cooperation so as to usher in an even brighter future for the bilateral ties,” the Chinese Ambassador said.

Meanwhile, Marcos said that it was not an ordinary congratulatory message, saying they talked about the future plans of both countries.

“Talagang marami kaming pinag-usapan (We have talked about many things). We talked about the way forward for the China-Philippines relationship,” he said.

Marcos expressed his interest in further expanding not only in diplomatic but also in terms of culture, education, knowledge, and health.

“Sinabi ko sa kaniya sa aking palagay (I told him that), the way forward is to expand our relationship not only diplomatic, not only trade but also in culture, even in education, even in knowledge, even in health to address whatever minor disagreements that we have right now,” Marcos added.

Amid the conflicts on the sea ownership, the China-Philippines has strengthened through the years with Xi recognizing it as ‘neighbors facing each other across the sea and partners through thick and thin’.