China invited Marcos for a visit — Palace

China has invited President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for a visit, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed on Friday.

"There was an invitation but there is no date set as of yet," Cruz-Angeles said at a press briefing when asked if the Chinese government had invited Marcos for a visit.

Asked if Marcos had accepted the invitation, Cruz-Angeles said: "Yes."

On July 6, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on Marcos, with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation between Manila and Beijing.

Cruz-Angeles noted that during the meeting, Wang emphasized "the cooperation between China and the Philippines and this transcends any maritime dispute and he reiterates that the friendship between the two sides has lasted for many years."

"This was mutually agreed upon. The President has said he seeks to bring the bilateral ties with China to a higher level," Cruz-Angeles said.

Marcos has said there are other things that should be tackled between the Philippines and China, and not just the issue on the West Philippine Sea. He added that cultural and educational exchanges should also be done as well as discussions on the military "if that will be useful."

Wang earlier said the relationship between the two countries has "turned a new page" with Marcos being elected as the Philippines’ Chief Executive.

The Marcos administration vowed that it would defend the country's sovereignty by talking to China  "with a firm voice," as he also admitted that the Philippines could not afford to go to war against China, a similar stance held by his predecessor, President Rodrigo Duterte.

China has since ignored the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, invalidating its sweeping claims over the West Philippine Sea. — RSJ, GMA News