Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. 蜜桃工作室 FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines鈥揗alaca帽ang听on Tuesday reminded China that it should watch its words and take into consideration the commemoration of Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day.
鈥淲e wish to gladly inform China that we just celebrated yesterday the 13th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day and perhaps, instead of condemning the friendly games between the Philippines and Vietnam, China should focus on engaging the Philippines in friendly initiatives,鈥� Presidential Spokesperson Edwin听Lacierda听told media.
The statement came a day after Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua听Chunying听called the Philippines and Vietnam鈥檚 joint games at a disputed island in听Spratlys听鈥渘othing but a farce.鈥�
The Philippine and Vietnamese troops played football and volleyball together at听Pugad听Island (Dao Song听Tu听Tay听in Vietnam) to 鈥渇oster camaraderie,鈥� a navy official said.
Both countries are opposing Chinese claims and actions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Lacierda听on Monday insisted that the country鈥檚 relationship with China was 鈥渕ultifaceted鈥� and that the territorial row is only one of the many issues tackled by the two nations.
鈥淲e have always had very good relations with China in the other areas of exchange that we have: people-to-people, tourism, trade,鈥� he said.
It is for this reason that President Benign Aquino III will grace the 13th听Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day celebration on Tuesday evening at Manila Hotel鈥檚 Tent City.
Aquino will be joined by Chinese Ambassador Zhao听Jianhua听for the event organized by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII). They will also celebrate the Philippines鈥� 116h Philippine Independence Day.
At least 1,000 Philippine officials, diplomats, businessmen and members of Filipino-Chinese associations are expected to attend the celebration.
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