As he aims to prevent tensions from occurring again.
During a press briefing on Thrusday (July 23), Malacañan Palace said that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan met on Tuesday, July 21.
The two, according to Undersecretary Claire Castro, had a meeting that lasted for one hour and 20 minutes, where they discussed the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and China.
“Yes, nag-usap sila, at ang nais na mangyari dito ng Pangulo ay hindi na maulit ang mga pangyayari at ma-reset sana ang relasyon ng China at ng Pilipinas sa mas magandang pakikipag-ugnayan,” Castro shared.
On the specifics of the discussions between the two, Castro only noted that both sides had a “productive exchange” but agreed not to disclose the details of their conversation.
The said meeting took place the day after an aggressive encounter at Ayungin Shoal, where members of the Chinese Coast Guard inflicted injuries on two members of the Philippine Navy that were stationed at the area through the BRP Sierra Madre outpost.
Meanwhile, on the claim of the Ambassador that the Philippines violated a July 2024 arrangement between Manila and Beijing, Castro said the government could not confirm such an agreement because no written document has been presented.
“Hindi ko masasabi kung mayroon dahil hindi kailangan sa kaniya manggaling muna kung anong arrangement iyong sinasabi niya,” noted the Palace official. “Kasi ang huli nating nabanggit, ang huli nating nadinig ay ang secret deal pero hindi iyon sa panahon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ‘Di ba? Iyon iyong sinasabing secret deal na hindi dapat gumalaw sa BRP Sierra Madre, right? Pero hindi iyon deal with President Marcos.”
“That’s why sinasabi nga po natin, kunin ninyo po sa kaniya kung mayroong written agreement. ‘Di ba? Kasi hindi po natin masasabi kung mayroon eh. Hindi sa atin nanggaling eh iyong statement na iyon,” she added.
