Li Qiang to Attend China-ASEAN Summit in Manila
The Chinese premier will join the 29th China-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in the Philippines, which holds the rotating ASEAN chairmanship.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in International Relations
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Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the 29th China-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in Manila on Nov. 15 and 16, at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The summit comes as the Philippines holds the rotating ASEAN chairmanship and as relations have been strained by recent anti-China statements from some Philippine officials.
Why it matters
The meeting arrives amid a war of words between Manila and Beijing and after China's defense chief skipped a regional defense meeting in Manila last month. The Philippine Foreign Ministry's directive that officials not independently set diplomatic direction signals an effort to centralize the country's China policy ahead of the talks.
The summit runs Nov. 15 to 16 and is the 29th China-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting, marking five years since the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was established. China seeks early entry into force of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, and the agenda includes AI, the digital economy, energy security, interconnectivity and poverty reduction.
The players
Li Qiang
Li Qiang is the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the country's head of government, who oversees the executive branch's economic and administrative policy.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the President of the Philippines, who serves as head of state and government and is constitutionally responsible for the country's foreign policy.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization of ten Southeast Asian states that promotes economic, political and security cooperation, and the Philippines holds its rotating chairmanship this year.
Dong Jun
Dong Jun is China's Minister of National Defense, who skipped a regional defense meeting in Manila last month.
The details
Chinese spokesperson announced on Wednesday that Li Qiang will attend at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. China says the summit aims to strengthen solidarity and mutual trust with ASEAN countries. On Sunday, the Philippine Foreign Ministry told officials and agencies not to independently determine the country's diplomatic approach toward China, citing the Constitution's placement of foreign policy leadership with the president.
Timeline
Last month: Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun skipped a meeting of Southeast Asian defense chiefs in Manila, with China sending its defense attaché instead.
Recent weeks: Some Philippine lawmakers and officials made anti-China statements that triggered a war of words with Beijing.
Sunday: The Philippine Foreign Ministry issued its directive to officials and agencies.
Wednesday: China announced Li Qiang's attendance at the summit.
Nov. 15 to 16: The 29th China-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting takes place in Manila.
Big Picture
The summit marks the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and advances China's push for early entry into force of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. It extends that multi-year framework into new areas such as AI and energy security, while the Philippines' chairmanship sets the stage for the bloc's regional positioning.
For readers tracking trade, the summit's push for early entry into force of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area could affect tariffs and market access across Southeast Asia if approved. Observers should watch whether the summit produces concrete timelines rather than general statements of cooperation.
The takeaway
Diplomatic summits like this one often reveal more through what is left unsaid than through formal communiqués, so attention to bilateral side meetings and the tone of the Philippine-China exchange will matter. The Philippines' attempt to centralize its China policy suggests Manila is seeking a unified voice in advance of the talks.
What happens next
The 29th China-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting is scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Manila, where Li Qiang's participation and any bilateral engagement with Philippine leaders will be observable.
Further reading
For broader context on how regional blocs manage rivalries among major powers, explore International Relations.
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