BUSINESS deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.
The President also assured that the trilateral agreement the country has signed with Japan and the United States covers issues beyond security and defense, such as “economic assistance and partnership”.
Marcos referred to the recent confirmation by the Chinese Embassy in Manila that his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, had reached a gentleman’s agreement with Xi Jinping on the Ayungin Shoal (a disputed territory between China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan). The president claimed not to know what the agreement was about, but acknowledged that it existed and encouraged journalists to investigate.
Encounters have become more frequent in the past year as Beijing pressed its claims and Manila refused to halt fishing and resupply activities for Philippine military personnel at two contested shoals. China considers these illegal intrusions, and has tried to repel the vessels.
In a series of Washington summits this week, the allied leaders unveiled a wide range of pacts to boost security and economic ties in the face of China’s growing might.
On Friday, April 12, China summoned Japanese and Philippine diplomats to express strong dissatisfaction over negative comments about it aired during Thursday’s trilateral summit. (Reuters)
