China initiated Duterte-Xi ‘online’ meeting, says Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping —MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping on April 8 was initiated by the government of China, Malacañang revealed Friday.

Deputy presidential spokesman Kris Ablan said the meeting will be held online.

“Ang alam natin ay online itong meeting na ito sa darating na April 8. Ang nag-initiate nito ay ang gobyerno ng China,” he said in a Palace briefing.

(We know that this will be held online on April 8. This was initiated by the Chinese government,)

Ablan said there is no information yet as to what the country leaders would discuss in the meeting.

“In so far as we’re concerned, this meeting is still in the preparatory stage. So kung ano ‘yung mga issues saka matters na pagdidiscuss ng world leaders na ito ay malalaman natin in the coming days,” he said.

(We will know in the coming days what these world leaders would discuss in the meeting.)

Duterte himself, in a speech in Lapulapu City, made the announcement that he is scheduled to have a meeting with Xi.  He mentioned the meeting as he talked about the tension between Russia and Ukraine.

The President reiterated that the Philippines should remain neutral on the matter.

/MUF