Secretary Mar Roxas, President Aquino’s Special Envoy, met with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on September 21, 2012. The meeting occurred on the occasion of the 9th China-ASEAN Expo held in Nanning, China.
Vice President Xi expressed appreciation for President Aquino’s decision to send a special envoy. He said, “This showed the importance that President Aquino attaches to Philippines-China relations.”
Roxas said, “We had a frank and candid exchange of views and I am satisfied that I was able to faithfully convey President Aquino’s message.”
Vice President Xi promised to bring President Aquino’s message to the attention of Chinese President Hu Jintao. Vice President Xi also responded to the matters raised in the meeting, which Roxas promised to convey to President Aquino.
The meeting focused on the current outstanding issues between the two countries as well as on the other dimensions of their bilateral relationship. Both the Philippines and China expressed their desire to resolve outstanding issues while moving forward with their bilateral relations.
Roxas added that the “discussions were constructive and the talks were conducted in a cordial atmosphere.”
Joining Roxas in the meeting were Secretary Edwin Lacierda, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio and Philippine Embassy Beijing Charge d’Affaires Alex Chua.
September 22, 2012
