COURTESY CALL Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian called on Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday. 鈥擣ile photo from HUANG XILIAN鈥檚 Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines 鈥擠efense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Thursday expressed support for all kinds of moves meant to connect with Beijing.
Teodoro made his position known after meeting former president Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
鈥淲e鈥檇 like to wait as to what was the outcome of such a meeting and we encourage all efforts, anyway, to engage with China on a track to [diplomacy or] non-formal track,鈥� Teodoro said in a press conference at the Department of National Defense headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Track II diplomacy refers to 鈥渦nofficial, informal interaction between members of adversary groups or nations that aim to develop strategies, to influence public opinion, (and) organize human and material resources in ways that might help resolve their conflict,鈥� according to the definition of the United Nations.
For Teodoro, adequate safety measures are a must, implying that the Philippines must fight for its rights in the sea conflict.
鈥淔rom where I sit, my position is to build a credible deterrent posture against all threats,鈥� he said.
On Monday, Duterte and the Chinese leader met at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.
No further details were provided.
President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr. previously welcomed the open line of communication with China through Duterte.
He hoped the two leaders talked about issues of national interest.
Teodoro echoed Marcos鈥� position.
鈥淪ame as the president,鈥� the defense secretary said.
鈥淲e would like to know what issue of national interest was talked about.鈥�
Despite the tension from Beijing鈥檚 nine-dash line claim, Duterte鈥檚 administration had close ties with China.
China believes it owns almost the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.
Contrary to this, upon assumption to the presidency, Marcos restored the Philippines鈥� strong relationship with the United States.
He allowed Washington more access to several Philippine military bases, which drew the ire of Beijing.
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