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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.
Painful to watch. Xi in long, lonely walk up #APEC2015 red carpet, completely ignored by Aquino and Bachelet
— Jerome Taylor (@JeromeTaylor) November 18, 2015
Aquino and Xi Jinping sitting beside each other… #awkward #APEC2015
— Jose Angelo Tiglao (@angelotiglao) November 18, 2015
President Xi Jinping and President Aquino seating right next to each other. #neverbeenthatclose #APEC2015
— Lexther Capala (@lextherC) November 18, 2015
Pareng Noynoy Aquino and Ninong Xi Jinping magkatabi! Awkward! #APEC2015
— Red Manzano (@red_manzan0) November 18, 2015
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.
Pres #Aquino and #Xi having a chat prior to the mtg w/ #ABAC @PhilstarNews @ANCALERTS @inquirerdotnet #apec2015 pic.twitter.com/Y50bDIq665
— Cesar Purisima (@CVP1960) November 18, 2015
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
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