Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 18) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was aware of the trip his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, made to China to meet with President Xi Jinping. While a report on the discussion between the two leaders was not necessary, Marcos added that he hopes Duterte would share the conversation he had with Xi.
“I’m sure, I hope he will have a, he will be able to tell us what happened during their conversation and see how that affects us,” Marcos said.
Marcos spoke to media on Tuesday following the kick-off event for “Walang Gutom 2027,” the country’s food stamp program.
He clarified Duterte’s trip did not need his blessing.
“Alam ko naman na pupunta siya. Magkaibigan sila, magkakilala sila,” he said.
[Translation: I knew he would go there. They’re friends, they know each other.]
According to Chinese state media, Duterte and Xi met in Beijing on Monday, with reports saying the former chief executive was joined by former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, while Xi was with State Counselor Wang Yi, Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs member Ma Zhaoxu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong, and Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying.
Marcos said he hopes Duterte was able to discuss with Xi recent issues concerning both countries.
“I hope na napag-usapan nila yung mga issues ngayon na mga nakikita natin, yung mga shadowing, yung mga kung anu-ano, all of these things that we are seeing now,” he said. “I hope napag-usapan para magkaroon naman ng progress kasi yun naman ang habol natin ay patuloy ang pag-uusap.”
[Translation: I hope they were able to talk about the issues we’re seeing now, the shadowing and all of that, all of these things we’re seeing now. I hope this was discussed so progress can be made because what we’re looking for are continued discussions.]
“I welcome any new lines of communication. If that is president PRRD, then good. Hindi importante sa akin kung sino o ano basta may makausap sila, baka makatulong,” the president added.
