Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the initiative of President Benigno Aquino III to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on the sidelines of the  22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chief Executive Officers Summit was a “welcome development” that “opens doors to numerous possibilities including the resolution of current and age-old conflicts.”

Belmonte, the honorary chairperson of the National Unity Party (NUP), congratulated both President Aquino and President XI “for their sincerity at seeking peace and stability in the region.”

The Speaker said “this brief but significant meeting… sets the stage not only for harmony but also for a future that sees more vibrant diplomatic relations with our Asian neighbors based on mutual trust and confidence.”

He further said: “The Philippines' close proximity with China has created deep cultural ties and economic linkages between our people, which cannot be denied nor ignored. We must not limit our relations to views regarding current maritime conflicts. Even this matter could see a peaceful resolution when harmonious dialogue is made possible.

Mr. Aquino met with Mr. Xi for 10 minutes after a tree-planting ceremony in Beijing. It was the first time that President Aquino met with a Chinese leader since the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China reignited in 2012, after a standoff between their sea vessels in the West Philippine Sea. 

“It’s a nice opening. Hopefully, it will lead to something concrete,” said the President of the brief meeting with Xi.

President Aquino said he and Xi agreed, at least, that “any dispute, any conflict does not enhance our ability to concentrate on improving the lot of our people.”