Cayetano off to China today, says Chinese Foreign Ministry, but no word yet from DFA

THE CHINESE Foreign Ministry on Monday announced a visit by the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano beginning today, June 28, until Saturday, July 1.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said at his press conference on Monday that Mr. Cayetano’s visit is “at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi.” A renowned veteran diplomat, Mr. Wang is well-regarded in Washington circles, apart from its at-times tense relations with Beijing.

“The two sides will exchange views on China-Philippines relations, China-ASEAN relations and international and regional issues of common interest,” said Mr. Geng.

Mr. Geng also said both nations “are neighbors enjoying traditional friendship.”

“Since the turnaround in the bilateral relationship last year, we have further deepened political mutual trust, carried out practical cooperation in various aspects, restarted maritime dialogue and cooperation, and moved forward the bilateral relationship, which ( has) created tangible benefits to people from the two sides and promoted regional peace and stability,” he added.

The spokesperson also mentioned President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation last May, where the two officials reached “important consensus in developing the bilateral relations.”

He also said “the Chinese side is ready to work with the Philippines to push forward China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) relations and East Asia cooperation.” The Philippines heads the ASEAN this year.

“It is believed that the visit by Foreign Secretary Cayetano will bolster political mutual trust between the two countries, deepen bilateral cooperation in different fields, promote communication and coordination in regional cooperation and advance the strategic cooperative relationship for peace and development,” Mr. Geng said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), however, has yet to confirm this trip scheduled today. Sought for comment, Charmaine Aviquivil, executive director of the DFA’s Office of Public Diplomacy, said that: “as soon as details are obtained from the concerned office, we will share this with media.” —