President Obama met briefly with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte today, exchanging pleasantries ahead of a gala dinner at a regional summit in Laos, according to White House officials.
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As a series of East Asian leaders’ meetings are being held in Lao capital Vientiane, Yang expected the 19th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders’ meeting to give new impetus to the development of bilateral strategic partnership.
The East Asia summit will be attended by the leaders of the 10 Asean nations and those of India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russian Federation. There also is one that covers accidental encounters between China and ASEAN nations in the South China Sea.
“An invaluable occasion to have our leaders meet for the goal of discussing how to strengthen our comprehensive areas of cooperation would have been a golden opportunity”, del Rosario said. “It’s not because we want to be seen as a country without class or breeding, but it is because we know it is just his expression that is being taken out of context”. It did not mention China by name.
The statement said the summit “took note of the concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamations and escalation of activities in the area, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region”. Some of the islands have airstrips capable of handling military aircraft.
His aides often urge reporters against taking Duterte’s comments literally, cautioning that the 71-year-old former lawyer speaks in a crude language of the people. The tribunal ruling also rebuked China for its land reclamation activities in the resource-rich sea, where it has conflicting claims with Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei besides the Philippines. It has rejected a July 12 global arbitration ruling that called its claims illegal.
Aung Sang Suu Kyi, Andanar said, highlighted the importance of “people-to-people” relations between Asean and China.
The U.S.is reportedly giving the Philippines two Sherpa 30-seater aircraft to boost the Philippines’ coast guard capabilities as it attempts to counter China in the South China Sea.
However, Obama pulled out of the meeting after Duterte made the inflammatory comments, stating: “Clearly, he’s a colourful guy”.
But Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China has not done anything to alter the circumstances surrounding the shoal.
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“I am happy. This shows that the relationship between the two allies is strong”, Yasay told reporters.
