Red carpet welcome for Marcos and a slew of pacts struck in China

Chinese President Xi Jinping leads the welcome reception for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Jan 4, 2023. - OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY

BEIJING/MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): China rolled out the red carpet for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Wednesday (Jan 4) with the signing of an agreement to mitigate rising tensions in the South China Sea and pledges to boost trade, investment, tourism, agricultural and clean energy cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Marcos during their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that China was “willing to continue friendly consultations to properly handle maritime problems”, according to Chinese state media.