THERE are schedules and commitments in international diplomacy that just have to be fulfilled, no matter if there are some attendant risks such as a virus infection. If a meeting for two state leaders is hard to set, more so are state visits. Once calendared, a state visit would need a really important and plausible reason to be canceled or rescheduled.
This thought comes to mind in the wake of President Bongbong Marcos’ ongoing state visit to China, on the invitation of President Xi Jinping, a commitment the President made last year. The visit to Beijing is happening today despite the continuing surge of COVID-19 in
our giant neighbor.
Since a state visit involves two parties — the visitor and the host — it is well to know how the diplomatic institutions of the Philippines and China regard the ongoing trip.
‘While economic and cultural, people-to-people cooperation
is important, Filipinos are more concerned with clear-cut policies
of both nations with regards
to the West Philippine Sea.’
Wang Wenbin, China foreign ministry spokesperson, said “China looks forward to working with the Philippines through President Marcos’ visit to further advance cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, energy and cultural exchanges, consolidate ties as good neighbors, relatives and partners, and usher in a new ‘golden age.’”
On our part, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Nathaniel Imperial said the Philippine delegation is expected to sign 10 to 14 bilateral agreements with China during the state visit.
The DFA official said these agreements will cover cooperation in a broad range of areas including trade and investments, agriculture, renewable energy, nickel processing, infrastructure, development cooperation, people-to-people ties and maritime security.
Also expected to be finalized are a memorandum of understanding on digital cooperation; a framework agreement for three priority bridges crossing Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan floodway; an agreement on tourism cooperation; and the renewal of the agreement on the Philippines’ participation on the Belt and Road initiative.
While economic and cultural people-to-people cooperation is important, Filipinos are more concerned with clear-cut policies of both nations with regards to the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his January 3 to 5 visit, and the two leaders — responding to the expectations for their respective constituents — cannot evade the topic of the South China Sea.
It was previously announced that the two countries are going to sign an accord establishing direct communication between their respective foreign ministries to avoid miscalculation and miscommunication in the West Philippine Sea.
While the move is commendable, this welcome gesture to avoid conflict in the area would be more desirable if both Presidents Marcos and Xi will commit to work vigorously with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in drafting and adopting the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
