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China’s vice-president to attend Marcos inauguration in Philippines

  • Wang Qishan will be Xi Jinping’s special representative at event on Thursday
  • Wang also went to Seoul in May for swearing-in of South Korean leader

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Philippine president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr has expressed a willingness to strengthen contacts with China at all levels. Photo: AP
Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan will attend the inauguration of Philippine president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jnr on Thursday, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
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Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday that Wang would attend as president Xi Jinping’s special representative, heading a Chinese delegation.

In a phone call after the election in May, Xi congratulated Marcos on his win and expressed hopes of deepening ties between the two countries.

Wang also sent a message to vice president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio, daughter of outgoing president Rodrigo Duterte, congratulating her on her win.

05:09

What a new Marcos presidency means for Philippine-China ties and where does it leave the US?

What a new Marcos presidency means for Philippine-China ties and where does it leave the US?
During his six years in power, Duterte sought cooperation with China, putting aside an international tribunal ruling in the Philippines’ favour that dismissed China’s claims to much of the South China Sea.
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Beijing is seeking to maintain that relationship of “continuity and stability” under the incoming Marcos administration.

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