United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are set to participate in the ASEAN meetings in Metro Manila next week, as confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
DFA spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial announced their attendance during a press briefing in Pasay City, although specifics on the officials' participation in individual meetings remain unclear.
Imperial emphasized the significance of the event, stating, "At least we know that they will be attending next week's meeting, which specifically, of course, it will be up to them on which of these meetings they will be attending."
- Other countries attending include Russia, Australia, New Zealand, India, Canada, South Korea, the UK, Brazil, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey.
- A key outcome of the meetings will be a document addressing political security, economic ties, and sociocultural engagements.
While major discussions will occur, Imperial clarified that the contentious Batanes issue will not feature on the ASEAN agenda. He stated, "I don't want to pre-empt what the discussions would be, but I believe it's not an ASEAN issue."
This statement follows the Philippines' firm rejection of claims by certain Chinese scholars asserting that Batanes is a natural extension of Taiwan, thereby entitling China to sovereignty over it.
"Flights of fancy should not be dignified with a response," the DFA said, reiterating the nation’s stance on territorial integrity.
Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines
In a related context, Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. dismissed the claims as "ridiculous" and labeled them as a quasi-state statement, indicating a broader signaling from China.
The ASEAN summit, first held in Bali in 1976, aims to address regional challenges and enhance cooperation among Southeast Asian nations. This meeting marks the Philippines' fifth time chairing the bloc.