Bongbong Marcos vows to deepen ties with China, Japan, South Korea

PHOTOS from the Office of the Press Secretary’s Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed on Saturday to deepen ties with East Asian governments during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Plus Three (APT) Summit.

The APT Summit is where countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meet with leaders from China, Japan, and South Korea to discuss matters of trade and investment.

According to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), Marcos Jr. spoke to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the sidelines of the summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia about how Chinese-Philippine relations should grow.

Keqiang had said that the differences between the two countries are outweighed by their common interests, according to the OPS’ Facebook post.

“He has been proven right because the partnership with China has been a great benefit to both our countries,” said Marcos, referring to his father, late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. when he visited China during his term.

The President also vowed to strengthen ties with Japan.

“Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the friendship and cooperation between Japan and Asean. And I look forward to advancing the cooperation between ASEAN and Japan,” Japanese Prime Minister Kishida told Marcos.

In response, Marcos said that the Philippine government is continuing to develop. The OPS also stated that Marcos will visit Japan but no date has been set yet.

Furthermore, Marcos also agreed to elevate relations with South Korea to a new level that will enhance security, infrastructure, energy, as well as people-to-people exchanges.

This commitment was made during a bilateral meeting between Marcos and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Sokha Hotel on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

“I do believe that it is time that we start to work to elevate our bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. Our newly launched bilateral platforms on science and technology, fisheries, cooperation and maritime cooperation, all contribute to the deepening of this engagement,” Marcos said.

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