President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, met with China’s National People’s Congress chairman Li Zhanshu as the two countries seek to continue strengthened ties.
Marcos expressed commitment in his welcome statement at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to continue the growing cooperation between Beijing and Manila as both economies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also told the Chinese leader to consider the next few years as an opportunity to boost their economies in the areas of commerce, culture, education, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges.
The chief executive also expressed hope for China to continue investing in the Philippines, pointing out that the two nations should not allow some disagreements to be “the sum” of their relationship.
He also said his meeting with the Chinese president and other officials “reaffirm our commitment to the friendship between the Philippines and China,” as well as on boosting ties with the Asia-Pacific Region.
Meanwhile, the President thanked Li for welcoming the Philippine delegation which include First Lady Louise Araneta- Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senator Imee Marcos, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Anton Lagdameo. AG
