Chinese Premier Li Qiang to attend ASEAN summit in Manila amid sea dispute
Beijing has confirmed Li will join leaders including Donald Trump in Manila after weeks of diplomatic sparring with the Philippines.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang will travel to Manila for the ASEAN summit on Sunday and Monday, November 15 and 16, China's foreign ministry announced on Wednesday. The Straits Times and CNA reported the announcement, both carrying an AFP report.
Li will be among the world leaders gathering in the Philippine capital this week, including US President Donald Trump.
The visit comes after a period of public friction between Beijing and Manila. The two governments have long been at odds over competing claims in the South China Sea, and both outlets reported that they had traded diplomatic swipes in the lead-up to the summit.
In October, Beijing accused the Philippines of "erecting multiple obstacles" to China's attendance at an ASEAN meeting held in the country that month. The Philippine defence chief rejected the claim.
China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, also urged the Philippines to rein in politicians who had repeatedly "smeared" Beijing and crossed its "red lines", according to the reports.
Speaking at a regular briefing, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China looked forward to "strengthening solidarity and mutual trust with ASEAN member states" through the meeting. He said Beijing wanted to deepen collaboration with the bloc in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, energy security, connectivity, and poverty reduction and development.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are also confirmed to fly to Manila, along with Trump. Japan and South Korea, which with China make up ASEAN's East Asian dialogue partners, will be represented as well. Neither outlet said who would lead those two delegations.
The summit and its related meetings run from November 15 to 18.
Sources: The Straits Times, Chinese premier to attend ASEAN summit in Manila; CNA, Chinese premier Li Qiang to attend ASEAN summit in Manila.
