Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang downplayed a recent meeting between First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, which did not reflect official diplomatic stance and would not lead to a political impasse between the executive and legislative branches.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the first lady’s attendance at a public cultural event should not be interpreted as a shift in policy, amid renewed calls from some lawmakers to declare the Chinese envoy persona non grata and take a stronger position against embassy officials..
“Unang-una po, kung dumalo man ang ating unang ginang sa mga public consular events, hindi po ito nagri-reflect ng policy direction at hindi po ito nali-link sa anumang diplomatic matters,” Castro said.
[Translation: First of all, even if the first lady attended public cultural events, this does not reflect any policy direction and is not linked to any diplomatic matters.]
Castro said lawmakers are aware it is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who holds the authority to declare a diplomat persona non grata.
In a separate Chinese embassy post, the envoy said he had a “pleasant conversation” with the first lady. The event took place during a one-night concert by Chinese pianist Lang Lang in Makati City.
Asked whether Congress could still pursue a resolution declaring the envoy unwelcome, Castro said legislators are free to act within their mandate but reiterated the administration’s diplomatic approach.
“May kaniya-kaniya po kasing opinyon… pwede po nilang ituloy iyon kung iyon po ang nakikita nila,” she said.
[Translation: Everyone has their own opinion… they may proceed if that is what they see fit.]
“Pero sa pangulo po, alam po natin na ang polisiya po ng pangulo at ng DFA ay maganda pong pag-uusap, diplomasya para sa mga ganitong usapin sa bansang China.”
[Translation: But as for the President, we know that his policy, together with the DFA, is constructive dialogue and diplomacy on issues involving China.]
Castro said the Palace had no details about the conversation between the first lady and the envoy, noting that officials were not present at the event.
The Palace hopes that the cordial exchange could help ease tensions amid the ongoing verbal disputes between Philippine officials and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos earlier rejected calls to declare Jing persona non grata, with the DFA emphasizing dialogue as the government’s preferred course in managing relations with China.
