The diplomatic arrangement follows standard Chinese foreign policy protocol, with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila noting that the premier typically spearheads ASEAN-related summits rather than the president. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is anticipating Li Qiang's presence, though official paperwork confirming the visit has not yet arrived. The Manila gathering will draw major global figures, including United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and U.S. President Donald Trump, who arrives on November 16. Following the regional talks, leaders will pivot directly to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting.
Key points
Beijing is maintaining established protocol by sending its premier rather than its presid…: Beijing is maintaining established protocol by sending its premier rather than its president to the regional ASEAN summit.
High-level global participation in Manila includes United Nations Secretary-General Anton…: High-level global participation in Manila includes United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres alongside regional Southeast Asian heads of state.
Donald Trump is scheduled to meet bilaterally with Xi Jinping in Shenzhen to build upon c…: Donald Trump is scheduled to meet bilaterally with Xi Jinping in Shenzhen to build upon commitments established during a September state visit.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Manila [Philippines]: 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, according to a report by The Manila Times.
The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shared this information on Wednesday while responding 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.
Dax Imperial, who is also the DFA spokesperson on ASEAN affairs, said that China had followed this practice in recent years, with Li customarily leading the Chinese delegation to ASEAN-related summits.
However, he clarified that Manila was 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…
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