Secretary Locsin, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Hold Talks in Vientiane

VIENTIANE 20 February 2020 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 19 February 2020 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

At the meeting, which was held on the eve of the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers Meeting (SFMM) on responding to the Coronavirus Disease held today, Secretary Locsin extended the Philippines’ sympathies to the Chinese people and especially to Wuhan City and Hubei Province.

Secretary Locsin conveyed as well the government’s appreciation for the assistance and facilitation of the Chinese government in the repatriation of Filipino nationals from Hubei Province on 08 February.

Expressing the Philippines’ confidence in China overcoming this public health crisis, the Secretary handed a letter from President Rodrigo Duterte for President Xi Jinping conveying the country’s solidarity and support.

In reply, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi manifested gratitude for the Philippine Government’s support for China amid the COVID-19 outbreak, attesting to the deepening of mutual trust and friendship between the Philippines and China.

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang also expressed appreciation to the Philippines, as the country coordinator for ASEAN-China relations, for facilitating the Special Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

Secretary Locsin and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang are due to co-chair the SFMM. END