Exclusive | Xi did not talk down to me like ‘elder brother’, Aquino says of Apec chat
President Xi Jinping did not talk like he was an “elder brother” and seemed “very sincere” during a meeting in Beijing in November, Philippine President Benigno Aquino has said.
President Xi Jinping did not talk like he was an “elder brother” and seemed “very sincere” during a meeting in Beijing in November, Philippine President Benigno Aquino has said.
During their 10-minute conversation on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum, Xi also acknowledged that “because of the South China Sea, we had regretful developments” and looked forward to turning a new page in bilateral relations, according to notes of the conversation Aquino released exclusively to the South China Morning Post.
It is the first time details of the conversation – which took place amid tension over their territorial dispute in the South China Sea - have emerged.
Recounting the informal dialogue in an interview last Thursday, Aquino said of Xi: “There seemed to be a sincere effort to try to address this situation within the context of all our constraints.”
Asked to describe the Chinese leader, Aquino paused and framed his answer carefully: “He seemed very sincere. Parang [It’s like] how should I explain it? I don’t want to commit a diplomatic faux pas. Let me comment first on his leadership. He seems to be in the same mould as I am. When I entered office, I reminded myself I have six years to effect the changes I want to effect.
