DFA’s Locsin to embark on 4-day visit to China

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. AFP file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. is set to embark on his first official visit to China next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

According to the DFA, Locsin, who was invited by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, will undertake a five-day visit to China from March 18 to 21.

This will be his first visit to China as the country’s top diplomat.

Locsin and Yi, the DFA said, will engage in a bilateral meeting to discuss the “strengthening of the friendly relations between the Philippines and China in the spirit of mutual respect and through enhanced functional cooperation.”

“Beyond mutual benefit across the broad scope of bilateral engagement, both Ministers will also discuss ways to advance the larger goal of bringing about peace and prosperity to the region,” the DFA added.

Locsin’s visit comes amid issues regarding the influx of illegal Chinese workers in the Philippines and the ongoing dispute over the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Labor, senators rebuke Duterte on illegal Chinese workers 

READ: Chinese boats deny Filipino fishermen access to sandbars 

READ: China ‘checking’ if its vessels drove away PH fishers near Pag-asa 

Last November 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping went to the Philippines for a two-day state visit. /jpv

READ: Xi leaves PH after historic two-day state visit