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Teodoro explains reason for not talking to Chinese counterpart in ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. stated he would only engage in bilateral talks with China if Beijing demonstrated sincerity, citing their recent actions as insincere.
Teodoro explained he would be willing to talk to the Chinese Defense Minister if there was "a semblance of good faith."
He expressed his refusal to engage in talks following China's accusations that the Philippines was blackmailing them, describing such a situation as a "slap on the face."
No efforts were made by the Philippines to arrange a meeting between the defense ministers of both nations during the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Teodoro's decision was influenced by China's statement that the Philippines "need to mend" its ways or "suffer the consequences" the day before the ADMM.
He also noted Chinese President Xi Jinping's statement to "resist unilateral bullying" at the APEC Summit in Korea.
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