Marcos to hold bilateral talks with China’s Xi

Philippines President Ferdiand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping | REUTERS

BANGKOK, Thailand — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Chinese officials on Thursday afternoon.

Marcos and Xi will meet on the sidelines of the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.

Marcos earlier said that the issue of the West Philippine Sea dispute will be one of the top agenda if he meets with Xi.

He stressed that it would be impossible for him to talk to China without raising the West Philippine Sea issue.

During the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summits in Cambodia last week, Marcos pushed for the adoption of a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

He also reiterated his call to make the South China Sea a “sea of peace, security, stability, and prosperity.”

Marcos will also join in the Apec CEO Summit and the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting Gala Dinner.

JMS