Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Marcos emphasizes economic ties on visit to China

In this handout photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, speaks during his meeting with China's Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Zhanshu, not shown, at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, Wednesday Jan. 4, 2023. (Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division via AP) In this handout photo provided by the Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, speaks during his meeting with China's Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Zhanshu, not shown, at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, Wednesday Jan. 4, 2023. (Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division via AP)
Share
Beijing -

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pushing for closer economic ties on a visit to China that seeks to sidestep territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

The countries have both been rocked by economic crises linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, but are looking to recharge investments in bridges and other projects, along with tourism and agriculture.

Marcos, who held separate meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, said the Philippines and China have an opportunity to revitalize their relationship and deepen cooperation and partnership, his office said in a news release.

He acknowledged though that the two countries have some difficulties that they have to deal with, the release said.

The visit comes against the background of disputes over islands and waters in the strategic South China Sea.

China's official Xinhua News Agency said that both sides "agreed to handle maritime issues properly through friendly consultation" and resume talks on oil and gas exploration.

Xi named agriculture, infrastructure, energy and culture as four key areas of cooperation. He said that China is willing to assist in agriculture and rural development in the Philippines and in infrastructure and connectivity projects, Xinhua reported.

Accompanied by a large business delegation, Marcos had said he will seek to finalize major infrastructure agreements during the visit.

China accounts for 20 per cent of the Philippines' foreign trade and is also a major source of foreign direct investment.

In comments to the head of China's ceremonial legislature, Li Zhanshu, Marcos said the two countries "be able to face the challenges and the different shocks that now we are already beginning to feel and will be continue to feel in the next few years."

China's increasingly assertive territorial claims have placed the Philippines in a quandary, most pointedly in regards to China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea. Beijing has ignored a 2016 ruling by a tribunal in The Hague brought by the Philippines that invalidated Beijing's claims to the waterway.

China has since developed disputed reefs into artificial islands with airplane runways and other structures so they now resemble forward military bases.

Most recently, a Filipino military commander reported that the Chinese coast guard forcibly seized Chinese rocket debris that Philippine navy personnel had retrieved in the South China Sea last month.

China denied the forcible seizure. Marcos said he would seek further clarification on his visit to Beijing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.