Malacañang still hopeful China’s Xi Jinping will attend ASEAN Summit amid word war
This handout photo from APEC 2025 Korea via Yonhap taken and released on October 31, 2025 shows Chinese President Xi Jinping attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju. Handout via AFPMANILA – Malacañang remains hopeful that Chinese President Xi Jinping will grace the 49th ASEAN Summit & Related Meetings this month in the Philippines as this year’s host despite officials trading barbs on various issues.
Just recently, Beijing earlier accused Manila of “erecting multiple obstacles” to its attendance at the 13th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro echoed Defense Chief Gilberto Teodoro’s stance that the Philippines did not hinder participation of any leader from the regional bloc during the defense meeting, noting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration do not use power or position to impose impediments on anyone.
“Alam naman natin kung saan ang gawi ng ating Pangulo at ng administration na ito. Hindi po gagamitin ang anumang kapangyarihan o anumang posisyon para makalamang kung kaninuman,” Castro said in a press briefing Tuesday, November 3.
She also believes that the upcoming high-level summit will not be affected by China’s recent statements, expressing optimism that the meeting could be an avenue to harmonize differences in the region.
“Mas maganda po na dumating po talaga ang liderato ng China dahil mas magandang pagkakataon ito para mapag-usapan kung anuman iyong mga maaaring may gusot at doon magkaroon ng pagkakataong maresolba. Kasi kaya nga po ito summit para kung anuman iyong mga issues among the region ay mapag-usapan at maayos,” Castro added.
The Palace has no information yet whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. already invited Xi to attend the ASEAN Summit this month.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia last year, Marcos Jr. said he will invite the Chinese president to Manila should the long-awaited Code of Conduct in the South China Sea be concluded in 2026.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended for China in the regional bloc’s summit last year but his attendance for this year remains unconfirmed.