(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte talked with Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in a meeting at the Malacañan Palace.
They were joined in the meeting by the Ambassador of China to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua and Deputy Director General Bai Tian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China – Asia Division.
Palace officials did not detail what they had talked about, but Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said that the Chinese officials were the ones who requested the meeting with President Duterte.
Abella explained that the visit made on Tuesday, January 17, was simply a courtesy call where the Chinese officials also expressed their wish for the successful ASEAN hosting of the Philippines.
This request for an audience with the President is simply a courtesy call and exchange of pleasantries.
It cannot involve discussions of substantive issues that will undermine the purpose and process of our political consultations,” Abella said.
The visit came after the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs had sent several notes verbale to China expressing concern for reported installation of defense facilities in the Spratly Islands.