Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Wednesday met with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Andres Centino following the laser-pointing incident at the Ayungin Shoal.
The courtesy call took place at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
In a Facebook post, Huang Xilian uploaded some photos with Centino during his visit.
"We discussed matters pertaining to [military] to [military] exchange and cooperation as well as sustaining peace and stability in the region," he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the AFP said the courtesy visit of the Chinese Ambassador "has long been scheduled."
"It was a cordial and constructive meeting between the Ambassador and the CSAFP," it said.
READ: Pahayag ng Armed Forces of the Philippines sa pagbisita ni Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian kay AFP Chief of Staff Andres Centino sa Camp Aguinaldo, QC. | via @liezel_once #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/yKCy2zM07N
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 16, 2023
The meeting also comes a day after Marcos summoned Xilian to express "serious concern" over the continuous actions of China against personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Filipino fishermen.
The PCG earlier accused the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) of directing a military-grade laser light against BRP Malapascua, which caused "temporary blindness" to its troops.
China, meanwhile, denied the allegation and said this claim "does not reflect the truth."
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has already filed a diplomatic protest against China.
Several countries have declared their support to the Philippines amid the dispute.
