Marcos in China for state visit

BEIJING—President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. arrived here on Tuesday evening for a state visit.

On board PR 001, Marcos and the entire Philippine delegation landed in Beijing at 6:10 p.m.

A photo from the Office of the Press Secretary showed Tang Renjian, China's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, welcoming Marcos at the airport.

Marcos’ state visit from January 3 to 5 is upon the invitation of President Xi Jinping. China is the first non-ASEAN country that Marcos will visit in his presidency.

While in China, Marcos is expected to raise the maritime dispute in the South China Sea, a part of which Manila refers to as the West Philippine Sea, during his meeting with Chinese officials.

Upon his departure from Manila, Marcos said he would open a new chapter in the bilateral ties between the Philippines and China, including resolving issues between the two countries.

“As I leave for Beijing, I will be opening a new chapter in our comprehensive strategic cooperation with China," Marcos said.

"We will seek to foster meaningful relations and broaden our cooperation in various areas such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, science and technology, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges, among others,” he added.

Marcos said he would discuss with Xi the political and security issues that need to be resolved.

“I look forward to my meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as we work towards shifting the trajectory of our relations to a higher gear that would hopefully bring numerous prospects and abundant opportunities for the peace and development to the peoples of both our countries," he added.

The possible oil and gas explorations in the resource-rich region could also be raised during the meeting.

Around 10 to 14 bilateral government agreements are expected to be signed during the state visit, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said.

Marcos pushed through with the state visit despite the spike of COVID-19 cases in China as the Chinese government ensured that arrangements were made to guarantee his and his entire delegation’s safety.

Marcos and the entire Philippine delegation on his state visit here have been tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival on Tuesday night.

According to the Office of the Press Secretary, Marcos had his RT PCR test upon arrival at his hotel.

Marcos will also take another test before he meets with Chinese officials on January 4.

The COVID tests are part of the protocol of the Chinese government as infections continue to surge in China.

For members of the media covering Marcos' visit to China, only the cameramen of television networks will be allowed to cover some events. Other events will not be open to the media.

A media center for reporters will be opened within the hotel premises.

The media delegation will have their food delivered to them inside their hotel rooms.  So far, they are not allowed to leave the hotel.

China is experiencing a spike in infections after years of harsh zero-COVID restrictions were loosened in December.

The Chinese government has ensured that arrangements were made to guarantee Marcos' safety as well as that of his entire delegation. —KBK/NB, GMA Integrated News