Chinese President Xi Jinping has reminded President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to stick to "friendly consultations" in order to properly handle differences and disputes over the South China Sea.
This comes following the two leaders bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2022 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand wherein Marcos said they had "pleasant exchange."
In a statement released through the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday, Xi said that China always views its relations with the Philippines from a strategic height.
"On the South China Sea, the two sides must stick to friendly consultation and handle differences and disputes properly," the Chinese leader said.
Xi also stressed that both countries should work together to ensure peace and stability in the region.
"China and the Philippines need to keep strategic independence, uphold peace, openness and inclusiveness, and stay the course of regional cooperation," he continued.
According to Xi, both countries should work together to “reject unilateralism and acts of bullying, defend fairness and justice, and safeguard peace and stability in the region."
In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights to areas within its exclusive economic zone that are being claimed by China. The ruling also invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, Marcos shared he was happy for the opportunity to meet the Chinese President for the first time.
“We spoke a bit about regional issues but mostly about the plans I have for the state visit that I will be undertaking to China in the first week of January,” he said.
Marcos said more matters involving the Philippines and China ties would be discussed further in his state visit.
