Malacañang announced on Thursday, October 15, that the Philippine government has yet to receive formal confirmation regarding the attendance of Chinese President Xi Jinping or other top Chinese officials for the upcoming 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Manila this November.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, citing statements from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), noted during a press briefing that official confirmations from participating world leaders typically arrive closer to the summit date.
“We expect the ASEAN leaders to attend the summit. As for dialogue partners, we expect the leaders from ASEAN Plus Three and the East Asia Summit (EAS) to attend. Although, at the moment, we are still awaiting receipt of official notification regarding the leaders’ attendance,” Castro said, reading a DFA statement.
The DFA confirmed that United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will participate in the ASEAN-UN Summit. United States President Donald Trump is also confirmed to attend the regional gathering in Manila before proceeding to Shenzhen, China, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting from November 17 to 19.
When asked specifically about President Xi, the DFA noted that traditionally, the Chinese Premier represents Beijing at ASEAN summits rather than the head of state. However, official confirmation for China’s delegation head remains pending.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared November 16 to 18, 2026, as special non-working days in the National Capital Region under Proclamation No. 1447 to facilitate security operations and ease traffic congestion during the high-level regional conference.