MANILA, Philippines – Smiling and making hand gestures as she spoke, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet kept the two leaders at a safe distance throughout a 5-minute walk.

Still, Filipinos noticed the “awkward” moment between Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and Chinese President Xi Jinping – leaders of feuding countries – on Wednesday, November 18. 

This happened as the leaders walked inside the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the site of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting hosted by the Philippines.

Aquino and Xi walked together – with Bachelet as their buffer – to the reception hall of the PICC. They went there for a plenary session between APEC leaders and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

On their way to the reception hall, Aquino mostly spoke with an animated Bachelet, apparently about the PICC, Asia’s first international convention center, which turns 30 in September next year.

The Chinese leader walked at a distance, farther than Aquino was from Chile’s president. Xi spoke to nobody.

This comes as observers await for a possible “chat” between Aquino and Xi on the dispute between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). 

During the summit, a customary seating arrangement will also allow Aquino and Xi to meet, the head of the APEC organizing council said, as current and immediate past APEC chair, respectively.

Unplanned, unexpected

On Wednesday, however, an APEC insider said protocol didn’t dictate that Aquino should walk one person away from Xi in the PICC.

The source said it was unplanned – and unexpected.

Watching this, netizens pointed out the “awkward” moment between Aquino and Xi. 

On video, the walk ended with Xi crossing paths with a leader from another country in a territorial conflict with China. 

That was Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who also wasn’t seen talking with Xi. (READ: Philippines, Japan lash out at China island building)

But wait, Philippine Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima tweeted a behind-the-scenes photo: Aquino and Xi chatting before Wednesday’s meeting at the PICC.

Palace Communications Secretary  Herminio Coloma Jr said Aquino and Xi had a two-minute exchange on the sidelines of the official APEC events.

In a text message to reporters, Coloma said Aquino’s greeting to Xi was: “Welcome, President Xi! Thank you for coming to Manila and attending the APEC meeting.”

Aquino “then gestured for President Xi to join the other leaders,” Coloma said.  – Rappler.com