Palace confident China's statement would not affect ASEAN meeting in November

Malacañang expressed confidence Tuesday that China's recent statement would not affect the attendance of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the upcoming summit in the Philippines in November.

“Nakikipag-ugnayan po ang bansang Pilipinas sa lahat ng miyembro ng ASEAN at sa ibang bansa na maaaring makilahok dito sa ASEAN Summit. So, mararamdaman naman ng ibang mga liderato kung paano ba nakikipag-ugnayan ang ating bansa sa kanila,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

(The Philippines has been coordinating with members of the ASEAN and other countries in relation to the ASEAN Summit. So, the leaders know the efforts of the Philippines.)

“So sa ating pagkakaalam ay hindi naman ito maaapektuhan sa darating na ASEAN Summit,” she added.

(As far as we know, this will not be affected by the upcoming ASEAN Summit.)

Zhang Xiaogang, China’s spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, earlier accused the Philippines of undermining ASEAN’s spirit of openness and China’s legitimate rights as a dialogue partner.

During the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomed defense ministers and representatives of other countries as they entered the venue, except China’s defense attaché to the Philippines Senior Captain Yang Lei.

China’s ASEAN attendance

For Castro, it is better if Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the ASEAN Summit to discuss pressing matters between neighboring countries.

“Mas maganda po na dumating po talaga ang liderato ng China dahil mas magandang pagkakataon ito para mapag-usapan kung ano man yung maaaring may gusot at doon magkaroon na pagkakataong maresolba,” Castro said.

(It is better if Xi Jinping attends the ASEAN Summit because it is a good opportunity for state leaders to talk about pressing issues and to solve them.)

“Kasi kaya nga po ito summit, para kung ano man yung mga issues among the region ay mapag-usapan at maayos,” she added.

(That's what this summit is for. Whatever issues there are among the region can be discussed and resolved.)

When asked if Marcos invited Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to attend the ASEAN Summit, Castro said further details will be shared once she acquires it from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

To recall, during his state visit to China in January in 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. invited Xi Jinping to visit the Philippines.

Marcos had a bilateral meeting with Xi at the Great Hall of the People where part of their talks focused on the West Philippine Sea. — RSJ, GMA News