VIENTIANE, Laos – “Our President wants to work on the side of peace. And if you want to work on the side of peace, you shake the hand of the person right next to you.”

Philippine Communications Secretary Martin Andanar made these remarks on Wednesday, September 7, as he recounted the so-called “handshake meeting” between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Li heads the State Council of China, which is “the highest organ of state power” and “highest organ of state administration there.”

A photo posted by Duterte’s peace adviser, Jesus Dureza, shows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Li in this meeting with Duterte.

Li is the highest ranking Chinese leader whom Duterte has met since the Philippine president took office on June 30.

In Manila, Duterte has met with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua for at least 3 times.

Li ‘stoically listening’

Duterte is seeking to boost ties with China in the face of a dispute between Manila and Beijing over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

On Facebook, Dureza explained on Thursday, September 8, that Duterte and Li “had a chat” on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane, Laos.

Both Duterte and Li attended the 19th ASEAN Summit to Commemorate the 26th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations on Wednesday.

In this meeting, Duterte urged ASEAN and China to “be on the side of peace,” Andanar said.

“International disputes should inspire us to work together with adherence to the rule of law and international governing bodies,” Duterte said, according to Andanar.

Asked how Li reacted to Duterte’s statements, Andanar said, “He was stoically listening.” – Rappler.com