MANILA, Philippines — Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected not to attend the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Summits in Manila because Chinese Premier Premier Li Qiang will represent China in these events.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shared this information on Wednesday when asked to confirm reports that Xi will not participate in the yearly regional summit to be hosted by the Philippines.
Li has "customarily led the Chinese delegation to Asean-related summits in recent years," the DFA said.
"On the questions regarding the representative of China for Asean Summits, it is the Chinese Premier (Premier Li Qiang) who attends the Summits, not President Xi," DFA Assistant Secretary Dax Imperial said in a text message.
"We have not received the official confirmation of Premier Li Qiang’s attendance, as this usually comes much closer to the Summit," said Imperial, DFA spokesman on Asean affairs.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro during her phone conversation on Tuesday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang said that the Philippines takes its responsibilities as Asean chairman seriously.
The DFA said Lazaro conveyed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "looks forward" to the participation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang in the 49th Asean Summit and Related Summits in Manila.
Wang conveyed China’s anticipation of Marcos’ participation in the 33rd Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen, China from November 18 to 19.
Lazaro and Wang assured each other that their respective leaders would be accorded the proper courtesies and assistance during these meetings, the DFA added.
