By Ryan Louis Mantilla

The Philippines' Chinese Ambassador, Huang Xilian, paid President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a courtesy call during National Security Adviser (NSA) Clarita Carlos' visit to the Kalayaan Group of Islands' West Philippine Sea.

China has long claimed the West Philippine Sea as theirs and has been known as the most aggressive claimant among other countries. 

The President expressed his gratitude for Huang's visit to the country and shared that he's looking forward to "further strengthening the relationship between China and the Philippines," for the welfare of the people of both countries.

Huang also shared the same sentiments, adding that he and Marcos "exchanged views," which gave him confidence that with President Xi Jinping and Marcos' guidance, the relationship between China and the Philippines will continue to grow, benefiting their people moving forward. 

Malacañang has not provided further details about what the meeting entails, but it happened the same day Carlos visited Pag-Asa Island, known internationally as Thitu Island. 

The aforementioned island is located in mainland Palawan and is the largest Philippine-occupied island. The island is also the second largest in the West Philippine Sea's Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys).

In a Facebook post, Palawan's municipal government shared photos of Carlos, saying that Carlos visited Palawan to observe the town's physical condition personally.