QUEZON CITY (PIA) – Carrying a series of bilateral agreements, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will be coming home this late afternoon from his three-day state visit from the People’s Republic of China. His first trip outside the country this year.

During the state visit President Marcos met with China’s top legislator, Li Zhanshu in a bid to strengthen the relationship between Manila and Beijing, particularly as the world transitions to the new normal following the coronavirus pandemic.

He also met with Chinese Premier Li Kequiang on Wednesday, where he underscored the importance of forging partnerships not only between the two countries but also with other partners to build economies and transform societies amid current challenges.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed his commitment to work with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen Manila-Beijing relations, vowing to extend assistance to the Philippines in various areas such as in agriculture, energy and infrastructure.

The Chinese leader and the President met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.

The President also mentioned the continuing negotiation for the joint exploration between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, which he said is very important to the Philippines.

The two leaders affirmed to establish a “direct communication mechanism” to prevent possible miscommunication in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). This communication line would be opened between the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office of the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

Moreover, 14 bilateral agreements were signed, including deals on agriculture, infrastructure, development cooperation, maritime security, and tourism, among others.

One of these is a protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh durians from the Philippines to China between the Department of Agriculture and China’s General Administration of Customs.

“It has been a very wide-ranging discussion… the meeting ran very long, and that’s why I’m actually very optimistic because President Xi seemed to be genuinely interested in all of these issues and finding a way to move forward to again strengthen the relationship between China and the Philippines. I’m quite gratified that we had made a good start,” President Marcos said in an interview.

The diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China dates back 47 years ago. 

President Marcos was joined in the trip by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy, other members of the Cabinet and members of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PIA-NCR)