China's Xi 'quiet, stoic' when Bongbong Marcos raised WPS issues

China’s Xi ‘quiet, stoic’ when Bongbong Marcos raised WPS issues – Zubiri

By: - Reporter / @MAgerINQ
/ 01:10 PM December 12, 2023

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping talked about issues hounding the West Philippine Sea in San Francisco.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping | REUTERS file photo

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has told Chinese President Xi Jinping that tensions in the West Philippine Sea would not have escalated if China and the Philippines “minded” their respective businesses.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco last month.

Article continues after this advertisement

On Tuesday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri recalled asking Marcos about that meeting in the United States during a recent dinner at the President’s house.

FEATURED STORIES

“Tinanong ko po sya [Marcos]: ‘Ano ang binulong n’yo po kay President Xi when you met him…? And he told me, Migz, in no small terms I just said we would not be having this problem if you minded your own business and we minded ours,” Zubiri said over ABS-CBN News Channel, quoting Marcos.

“We’re just doing resupply missions to Ayungin shoal, helping our fisherfolk in Bajo de Masinloc and if you want to watch over our Coast Guard ships, our white ships as well as our fishing vessels of the BFAR, fine, no problem, but don’t do any aggressive maneuvers like blocking them, ramming them,” Marcos also told Xi, according to Zubiri.

Article continues after this advertisement

BFAR is Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Article continues after this advertisement

“He told that straight to president Xi,”  the Senate leader continued, “President Xi was just quiet, stoic and looking at him.”

The Senate leader agreed with Marcos that there would have been no  problems in the West Philippine Sea if China did not make any aggressive moves against Philippine vessels.

Article continues after this advertisement

Over the weekend,  Chinese vessels rammed and used water cannons against Philippine vessels during two separate support missions within the Philippines’ exclusive economic  zone.

READ: West PH Sea supply missions fruitful amid China’s bullying – official

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

These latest harassments by China have prompted Zubiri to call for the expulsion of Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian for not doing anything to address Beijing’s continued attacks against the Philippines.

former Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio said Tuesday that to expel Huang amid escalating Beijing intimidations in the West Philippine Sea would be an “extreme measure.”

For comprehensive coverage, in-depth analysis, visit our special page for West Philippine Sea updates. Stay informed with articles, videos, and expert opinions.

TAGS: Bongbong marcos, China, Juan Miguel Zubiri, West Philippine Sea, Xi Jinping

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.