Marcos Jr will meet with Xi to discuss nations' ties, issues of common concern

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr will make a state visit to China from Tuesday to Thursday at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, becoming the first foreign head of state that China will receive in 2023.

The visit, which will be Marcos' first to a nonmember of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as president, shows the great deal of attention China and the Philippines are paying to the development of their bilateral relationship, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Friday.

Marcos will hold talks with Xi, and meet Premier Li Keqiang and Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature, Wang said.

"The leaders of the two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on the China-Philippines relationship as well as regional and global issues of common concern," Wang told reporters at a regular news briefing in Beijing.

As close neighbors that enjoy a long-standing traditional friendship, China and the Philippines have seen significant development in their relations, have carried out practical cooperation in various fields that have benefited both peoples and have made positive contributions to regional peace and stability, Wang said.

While meeting with Xi for the first time in November on the sidelines of the 27th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok, Marcos said that the Philippines wants to expand cooperation with China and build a stronger, more robust relationship.

Speaking on the maritime issue, he said that it should not define the relationship between the two nations and that his country stands ready to actively consult with China to explore and promote joint development of offshore oil and gas projects.

Wang said "China looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to carry forward friendship, deepen mutual trust and continue to promote cooperation in key areas of agriculture, infrastructure construction, energy and people-to-people exchanges … to give a boost to the growing China-Philippines relationship and usher in a new golden age for our friendship."

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