Why the secrecy?
A Chinese delegation met with President Aquino on Tuesday in Malacañang to give a message to him from Chinese President Hu Jintao but had requested that Palace officials keep the outcome of the meeting under wraps.
Acceding to the Chinese request, Palace officials did not give any details of the almost one-hour meeting between President Aquino and a delegation led by visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin and Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao in Malacañang at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
All that presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda could say was that indeed Liu had sent the Chinese president’s message to President Aquino.
The meeting was also attended by Foreign Secretary Alberto del Rosario, Foreign Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio and Foreign Assistant Secretaries Cristina Ortega and Maria Theresa Lazaro.