FACT-CHECK: PH, China relationship remains unresolved

CLAIM: The Philippines and China have finally reconciled.

RATING: FALSE

A Facebook user posted a reel showing the photo of President Xi Jinping and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and falsely claimed that the Philippines and China had finally reconciled. 

The Facebook reel also contains edited text that reads, “hinto na ang pang[-]aagaw ng [C]hina sa [W]est [P]hilippine [S]ea,” falsely suggesting that the maritime dispute between the Philippines and China had finally been solved. 

The photo featured in the reel was taken on Nov. 17, 2022 when the two leaders met at the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. 

During the meeting, Marcos Jr. and Xi Jinping talked about improving the partnership between the Philippines and China in the sectors of agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and people-to-people ties.

However, the maritime conflict between the Philippines and China remains unresolved. 

On March 29, the Department of National Defense issued a press release condemning China’s illegal and aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea.

On Aug. 31, the Philippine Coast Guard reported an incident in which several Chinese vessels and maritime forces surrounded and damaged the BRP Teresa Magbanua at Escoda Shoal.

In the report, PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tariela also presented aerial photos of multiple Chinese vessels surrounding the PCG vessel. Leigh San Diego

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