Based Philippines, based Marcos
‘Shift to higher gear’: Philippines’ Bongbong Marcos talks up closer ties with China
Philippines president-elect Ferdinand Marcos jnr said his country’s ties with China will expand and “shift to a higher gear” when he takes power, signalling intent to advance outgoing leader Rodrigo Duterte’s pro-Beijing agenda.
Marcos, who won last week’s election by a landslide, said he held “very substantial” talks by phone on Wednesday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who assured him of support for his “independent foreign policy”, and agreed to hold more comprehensive discussions.
“The way forward is to expand our relationship not only diplomatic, not only trade, but also in culture, even in education, even in knowledge, even in health, to address whatever minor disagreements that we have right now,” Marcos said in a statement.
Marcos said Xi had expressed a desire to talking privately.
“We are both looking forward to having further dialogue,” Marcos said.
“He said both of us should talk, without the others.”