Undiplomatic Noynoy gesture seen in Sino exec meeting
An awkward body language may just spoil the day for the Philippines as President Aquino’s mannerism that saw him extend his right hand to the visiting Chinese diplomat while his left was in his pocket again put into the limelight his lack of diplomatic tact that may have bearing on the country’s bid to mend ties with China amid a territorial conflict.
Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte, however, said she doesn’t seem inclined to believe that body language alone would dictate the future insofar as the government’s bid to again come to terms with China amidst a standing conflict over a maritime territory known for its rich mineral deposits.
Valte also warded off the alleged “undiplomatic” gesture that Aquino showed during the visit of Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying.
Valte hinted on Aquino as a President who sees things on a proper perspective adding that “the eventually would be seen as concentrating on the outcome of the meeting”
“What matters are the first-hand accounts of what happened during the meeting, and not the criticisms over “one photo,” Valte added.
The meeting was an important one since the country is in a maritime dispute with China. Crucian as it is, Aquino was seen on photo offering his right hand to Fu Ying. His left hand, however, was in his hands pocket.
The act of extending one’s right hand for a hand shake while his left seen inside his pocket is considered by as a diplomatic impasse. Published photos of Aquino in such a stance had other diplomatic officials raise the eyebrows over the gesture.
Malaysia, for one, translates Aquino’s gesture as signifying anger.
Palace insiders, however, claimed it was never the intention of Aquino to show off a bad gesture even as they admitted it wasn’t the first time that Aquino did it. They claimed that the gesture has become a mannerism of sorts for him and not even Malacanang protocol officer Miguel Perez-Rubio can’t seem to do anything about it.