Marcos, Xi at APEC: Meaningful ties vowed

Despite the longstanding row over the West Philippine Sea and his Chinese counterpart’s tight security, President Marcos managed to shake hands with China President Xi Jinping to congratulate him for his upcoming role as chairman of next year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

Marcos and Xi were among the leaders who participated in the APEC meet, which tackled a host of topics, including AI and promoting an interconnected regional economy.

The summit ended with the turnover of the APEC chairmanship to China, whose extensive maritime claims and aggressive actions have been stoking tensions in the South China Sea.

"I congratulated President Xi Jinping as China assumes the APEC chairmanship in 2026, and reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to partnership and meaningful cooperation in our region," the President said in a Facebook post.