MANILA — United States President Donald Trump has committed to personally raise the Philippines’ concerns over the South China Sea with Chinese President Xi Jinping in their next meeting, Malacañang said, signaling Washington’s continued backing of Manila as tensions with Beijing remain high following a recent violent confrontation at Ayungin Shoal.
Acting Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez said Trump made the commitment during a phone conversation with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., where the two leaders discussed regional security, global developments, and economic issues.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. just had a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump and they discussed the current global, economic and security situation,” Gomez said.
“President Trump assured President Marcos that he will take up the concerns of the Philippines in his next meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping,” he added.
The call came a day after Marcos met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Malacañang to discuss efforts to further strengthen Philippines-United States relations and address the latest developments in the South China Sea.
During that meeting, Marcos raised the deteriorating security situation in the disputed waters following the latest confrontation between Philippine and Chinese forces at Ayungin Shoal.
The President had earlier summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan after the July 20 incident in which a member of the China Coast Guard struck a Philippine Navy sailor with a wooden baton, inflicting a serious head injury.
Malacañang previously said Marcos used the meeting with the Chinese envoy to call for a “reset” in bilateral relations while stressing the need to prevent further violent confrontations in the contested waters.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President remains hopeful that the Philippines and China can improve bilateral ties and ease tensions through dialogue despite their continuing dispute over the South China Sea./PN
