By Myris Lee
Malacañang confirmed President Duterte’s announcement last Thursday (March 31) that he will have a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Kristian Ablan said the meeting was initiated by the Chinese Government and is set to be held virtually on Friday (April 8).
Ablan said the meeting is still in the “preparatory stage.”
“Kagabi po, si President Duterte mismo ang nag-announce na mayron siyang meeting with China officials. At ang alam po natin ay online po ang meeting na ito sa darating po na April 8, Ang nag-initiate po nito ay ang gobyerno ng Tsina,” Ablan said in an online briefing.
“Kung ano ang magiging issues at matters na idi-discuss ng world leaders na ito ay malalaman natin in the coming days,” he added.
During the speech of President Duterte in Lapu-Lapu City on Thursday, he mentioned his friendship with China, but said he will not be choosing any side in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
“I just don’t want war to enter my country. At saka I will never, never commit the Armed Forces ko, mga sundalo ko… I’ll never commit my soldiers or the police to go to war and participate. Hindi natin ano’yan. Wala tayong… We are not even connected,” he said. – ag
