Chinese foreign minister’s visit postponed due to Ompong

MANILA, Philippines — The official visit of Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi this week has been postponed due to Typhoon Ompong. 

In an advisory yesterday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wang’s visit, which was scheduled from Sept. 16 to 18, was deferred as Philippine government personnel are busy undertaking rescue, recovery and relief efforts. 

“It was mutually agreed by the Philippines and China that the official visit to the Philippines of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi be rescheduled at a later date,” said the DFA. 

“At this time, the DFA is focused on coordinating offers of international humanitarian assistance, through the Philippine Humanitarian Assistance Registry, and extending assistance to overseas Filipino workers stranded in ports around the country,” it added. 

The agency said the two countries would continue to work closely together to ensure the success of all future high-level engagements and the advanceent of bilateral cooperation. 

Wang was set to arrive today for a three-day official visit to discuss with the Duterte administration the flagship infrastructure program and joint exploration of oil and gas reserves in the South China Sea. 

The visit was upon the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

In earlier separate statements, the DFA and the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wang’s visit was aimed at further strengthening the partnership between the Philippines and China.

“After a successful visit to China by the Philippine economic managers last month, this visit will again provide both sides an opportunity to take stock of infrastructure projects under the Philippine government’s flagship Build, Build, Build program,” the DFA said.

The two sides are also expected to come up with a framework of cooperation that conforms to their respective rules and regulations and international laws.

“The Philippines and China continue to work together in managing differences addressing issues pertaining to the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea,” Cayetano said.

“State Councilor Wang’s visit is a demonstration that our bilateral ties are becoming solid and steady as never before,” he said.

“The Philippines and China are both committed to continue on the path of cooperation, all the while ensuring that the Filipino and the Chinese peoples will reap the dividends of our mutual efforts,” added the secretary.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Wang’s visit will consolidate and strengthen friendly cooperation between the two countries.

“The China-Philippines relationship continues to improve as evidenced by deepening political mutual trust and fruitful outcomes of across-the-board practical cooperation, which has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples,” he said.

“In April, (Chinese) President Xi Jinping held his fifth meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in China, during which they reached important consensus on further developing bilateral relations,” he added.