First Lady, Chinese envoy meet at Lang Lang concert in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — First Lady Liza Marcos and Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan met at the concert of renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang in Makati City last Friday.

The Chinese embassy in Manila shared a photo of the First Lady and the ambassador in its official social media page yesterday.

“Pleasant talk with (the) First Lady,” the Chinese embassy wrote.

The First Lady also shared photos of the event in her official Facebook account on Saturday, including a picture with the Chinese envoy.

“What a treat to see Lang Lang live in Manila,” Marcos wrote. “A beautiful evening of music, mastery and shared moments with so many who came simply to listen and feel his magic.”

Earlier, President Marcos rejected a proposal to declare the Chinese envoy persona non grata or an unwelcome person in the face of the Chinese embassy’s trade of verbal jabs with Philippine officials over disagreements on the West Philippine Sea.

Fifteen senators signed a resolution declaring Chinese embassy deputy spokesman Wei Guo persona non grata.

Embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng said the resolution was not needed, and Marcos could declare the ambassador himself persona non grata.

“No. The President’s answer is no,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters on Friday when asked about Ji’s proposal.

The Department of Foreign Affairs last week said declaring Chinese embassy personnel persona non grata for their statements against some Filipino officials is “an option of last resort.”

Malacañang, however, earlier said government officials have the full backing of the President in defending the country’s rights and interests.

Kalayaan in Palawan recently declared Jing persona non grata.