Secretary Locsin Meets With Chinese Counterpart On Official Visit To China

21 March 2019 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. discussed a wide range of issues with his counterpart Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at their bilateral meeting on 20 March 2019, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China.

Secretary Locsin is undertaking an Official Visit to China on 18-21 March 2019, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang, in reciprocation of former’s hosting of the latter's visit to the Philippines in October 2018.

Foremost on the meeting agenda of the two Foreign Ministers was to lay the groundwork for the successful participation of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be hosted by China in April. The two Foreign Ministers then had a friendly, candid and in-depth discussion on issues that run the gamut of Philippines-China relations, including economic cooperation, political-security relations, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as a cordial exchange of views on the Philippines’ role as Country Coordinator of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, and on regional and international issues.

Following their bilateral meeting, Secretary Locsin and Foreign Minister Wang held a joint press conference, during which both Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustaining the positive momentum of relations and deepening Philippines-China relations on the basis of mutual respect and sincerity, and securing a peaceful and prosperous future for their respective peoples.

Reiterating China’s staunch support for President Duterte’s flagship “Build, Build, Build” program, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang underscored that China stands ready to work with the Philippines to further promote cooperation in all areas and to continue to explore synergies and complementarities between the Build Build Build program and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Joining Secretary Locsin at the bilateral meeting were Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana, Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Meynardo L.B. Montealegre, Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Treaties Jose Eduardo E. Malaya III, Executive Director for Asian and Pacific Affairs Josel F. Ignacio, Executive Director for Legal Affairs and Treaties Igor G. Bailen, North Asia Division Director Rhenita B. Rodriguez, Philippine Embassy in Beijing Deputy Chief of Mission Dinno Oblena, Embassy Third Secretary and Vice Consul Johnelle John Domingo, and Principal Assistant Emilio O. Lopue Jr.

The previous day, Secretary Locsin paid a courtesy call on Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, together with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and the Philippine Economic Managers led by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez.

Secretary Locsin was accompanied in his Official Visit to China by Madame Ma. Lourdes B. Locsin. END