Marcos, Xi at APEC: Meaningful ties vowed

BUSAN – Despite the longstanding row over the West Philippine Sea and his Chinese counterpart’s tight security, President Marcos managed to shake hands with China President Xi Jinping to congratulate him for his upcoming role as chairman of next year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Marcos and Xi were among the leaders who participated in the APEC meet, which tackled a host of topics, including AI and promoting an interconnected regional economy.

The summit ended with the turnover of the APEC chairmanship to China, whose extensive maritime claims and aggressive actions have been stoking tensions in the South China Sea.

“I congratulated President Xi Jinping as China assumes the APEC chairmanship in 2026, and reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to partnership and meaningful cooperation in our region,” the President said in a Facebook post.

Marcos said his quick interaction with Xi was just “common courtesy.” He said it was his only interaction with Xi during the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.

“The only time I was able to speak to President Xi Jinping was in our last leaders’ retreat meeting. And the reason is it was really hard to go near him,” the President said.

“You know, we’re held in a holding room. But every time he comes in, he’s surrounded by security. It was hard to approach him. I do not want to force it. His security guards might punch me,” he added.

Despite the challenge, Marcos, who has been critical of China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea, saw the need to greet Xi to avoid notions that he is a snub.

“So I really tried to come near him. I said, congratulations on your assumption for the chair for the following APEC. And I hope to do good work together with you. That’s it. It was really quick,” the Philippine leader said.

According to Marcos, the APEC is not the venue to discuss the West Philippine Sea row because it is an economic meet.

“It’s just common courtesy. He was one of the few leaders that I made sure that I talk to… (I talk to) everyone as much as possible. I always get something out of it. I think I’m getting a reputation because I pick everybody’s brain. What do you think about this? What do you think about that? What are you going to do about this? What are you going to do about that? And I learn a lot,” he said.

“I said congratulations, we look forward to doing a lot of good work with you as APEC chair. And he said, thank you, thank you. And that was it. (There) was really not very much to it.”

Like Xi, Marcos will be busy hosting other leaders next year since he will serve as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.