President Rodrigo Duterte said early Sunday morning that his
bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Da Nang, Vietnam was "meaningful"
and "productive," though the moment was still not right for him to press
the Chinese leader on Philippine territorial claims in the South China
Sea.
"I see a very bright future in our relationship. Nothing to
do with military," explained Duterte during his arrival remarks at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Nevertheless, the Philippine
president said that because the country was presently ASEAN's chair, he
had to bring up the organization's concerns over "non-militarization and
self-restraint" in the South China Sea.
"I had to do it [and
discuss the matter] because, the Philippines chairs the ASEAN now. I
cannot escape that from my duty," said Duterte, adding, "But I explained
it to him in a very nice way."
Duterte said that Xi had been surprised over last August's ASEAN
joint communique
on the South China Sea. He told the Chinese leader that he was not
raising any sovereignty issues, but "we will talk about this somehow,
during my term."
"We never surrendered anything. Just say, 'I do not want to talk about this for the moment,'" Duterte added.
He said that during the meeting, Xi vowed that China will not hinder
the Philippines and other countries from their right of safe passage in
the disputed seas.
"He assured us again na do not worry you have
all the rights of safe passage and that it will also be applicable to
all countries," Duterte said.
He said Xi also mentioned in the
meeting the multi-lateral talks between China and ASEAN members on the
Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
The ASEAN and China had approved last August the
draft Code of Conduct. Talks on the sea conduct are ongoing.
Duterte firmly believed that China was not looking at a military
solution to the South China Sea disputes, as it was a scenario in which
everyone would lose.
Also during their meeting, Xi had confirmed
that he would fulfill everything he had promised Duterte during his
state visit in China.
"And the two bridges that would span the Pasig River... would start immediately," said Duterte.
In his arrival speech, Duterte said that the most important bilateral
meetings he did in Vietnam were those with Xi and Russian President
Vladimir Putin.
"Ang pinaka meaningful na bilateral ko yung sa
Russia pati yung sa China, and I assured President Xi Jinping of our
friendship and that it will remain warm and robust," he said.
He said both leaders expressed support to his war on drugs and the country's c campaign against terrorism.
