President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted the invitation of the Chinese government to visit China, Malacañang said Friday.
In a press briefing, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said: “There was an invitation (from China) but there is no date set as of yet (for Marcos’ visit).”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi extended the invitation of China’s President Xi Jinping during his recent courtesy call on Marcos at Malacañang.
Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is up to the Philippines under the Marcos administration to participate in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Ed Meñez, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, said in an interview: “Based on my experience as former UNIO ASec. (Office of United Nations and Other International Organizations Assistant Secretary), it is up to member states to decide if they wish to participate at the UNGA and at what level.”
Meñez was responding to questions seeking confirmation about an invitation sent to the President to attend the event in September.
The DFA official also said there is usually a deadline “by which countries should indicate their participation in order to be inscribed in the UNGA Speakers list.”
In June, Marcos’ camp said that the new president was “mulling attending the UN General Assembly.” In doing so, it cited “the importance of meeting other world leaders.”
Yi said the cooperation between China and the Philippines “transcends any maritime disputes” and that their friendship “has endured for many years.”
Angeles said the President agreed with Wang and stressed his intent to bring bilateral ties with China “to a higher level.”
Earlier, the President said he discussed with Yi issues on agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and their commitment to maintaining the strong relationship between the two countries in the coming years.
