SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez described as highly successful the recently concluded meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese President Xi Jinping where they discussed an array of topics that included, among others, the maritime claims of both countries.

Romualdez attributed such success to what he described as the “mutual respect” both leaders have for each other and their sincerity as heads of state in discussing the concerns surrounding the claims.

“The President was able to personally convey to President Xi Jinping the concerns of the Filipino: the fishery issues, the maritime claim issues—these very sensitive issues. But it was brought up…in an atmosphere of mutual respect and equality,” Romualdez said in an interview upon returning from the China state visit where he was part of the Philippine delegation.

“And that’s why this state visit was so successful because we could see the rapport, the personal exchanges between the two presidents,” he added.

Sincerity, he said, was very evident in both heads of state and this will “go a long way in addressing all these issues, whether they be contentious or not, moving forward.”

“So this definitely means a lot to the relations with the People’s Republic of China,” Romualdez said.

“While we have some issues that have challenging concerns like our maritime issues, that does not represent the totality, the entirety. We have a vast range of issues and concerns and common interests whether it’s finance, trade, culture, education, and political,” he added.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco