BUSAN, Nov. 1 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on China's assumption of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) chairmanship, even as Manila and Beijing remain locked in a tense maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The two leaders shook hands during the symbolic turnover of APEC's chairmanship at the Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, where South Korean President Lee Jae-myung formally handed over hosting duties to Xi at the close of the 2025 summit.

"I congratulated President Xi Jinping as China assumes the APEC Chairmanship in 2026 and reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to partnership and meaningful cooperation in our region," Marcos said in a...