President Rodrigo Duterte met with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Thursday to raise concern over the presence of Chinese vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea. The National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea reported on Sunday that the Philippine Coast Guard spotted around 220 Chinese ships in the area on March 7. “The President and Ambassador Huang Xilian met personally because the ambassador wanted to greet President Duterte a happy birthday. It was a personal visit between two very close friends,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said, noting that Duterte will celebrate his 76th birthday on March 28.

Calayag, K., & Reyes, D. (2021, March 26). Duterte airs concern over Chinese vessels. The Manila Times, p. A3.