Manila: Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to skip the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Manila, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang likely to represent Beijing at the regional gathering, The Manila Times reported.
The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shared the information on Wednesday in response to reports about Xi's expected absence from the annual summit, which the Philippines is hosting this year.
"On the questions regarding the representative of China for Asean Summits, it is the Chinese Premier (Premier Li Qiang) who attends the Summits, not President Xi," DFA Assistant Secretary Dax Imperial said in a text message, according to The Manila Times.
Imperial, who also serves as the DFA spokesperson on ASEAN affairs, said China had followed this practice in recent years, with Li customarily leading the Chinese delegation at ASEAN-related summits.
However, he clarified that Manila had yet to receive formal confirmation of the Chinese Premier's attendance.
"We have not received the official confirmation of Premier Li Qiang's attendance, as this usually comes much closer to the Summit," Imperial said.
The development comes as the Philippines prepares to host the regional gathering. Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro discussed the upcoming meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a phone conversation on Tuesday.
According to the DFA, Lazaro conveyed that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. "looks forward" to Premier Li's participation in the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila.
Wang, meanwhile, conveyed China's anticipation of Marcos' participation in the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting, scheduled to be held in Shenzhen from November 18 to 19.
Both sides also assured each other that their respective leaders would receive appropriate courtesies and assistance during the meetings, the DFA said.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are also expected to attend the ASEAN gathering, according to an earlier report published by The Manila Times on October 15.
Philippine Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed Trump's participation during a press briefing on October 14, stating, "It is confirmed."
The White House had also confirmed Trump's planned visit to the Philippines on November 16 for the ASEAN Summit, before he travels to China for the APEC Summit in Shenzhen, according to an October 11 report by the New York Post.
The visit is expected to demonstrate Washington's commitment to its Southeast Asian allies and advance US economic
