Chinese President Xi Jing Ping will have a comprehensive discussion with President Duterte on several major goals in order to elevate the relationship between Manila and Beijing to a higher level during his two-day state visit to the Philippines.
“I am visiting this time mainly to have in-depth discussions with President Duterte on how to elevate our all-round cooperation under new circumstances and make overall plan for greater progress in our relationship toward a higher level. There are a number of things we need to do if we are to achieve this goal,” Xi said in a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Monday.
He will be in the Philippines from November 20 to 21. Xi’s state visit to the Philippines – the first for a Chinese leader since 2005 – is a return visit to the state visit of Duterte to Beijing in 2016.
Aside from a bilateral meeting with Duterte, the Chinese leader is also expected to witness the signing of several pacts, including a possible agreement on the Philippines-China joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea.
According to Xi, among the goals that the two countries should touch on during the discussion is the need to deepen political mutual trust between the two sides, including the highly-contentious South China Sea issue.
“We need to properly handle differences through friendly consultations, enhance dialogue and cooperation on maritime issues, and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation that truly benefits our two peoples,” he said.
The Chinese President noted though that under Duterte, China and the Philippines have re-engaged in dialogue and consultation for the “proper handling” of the South China Sea issue.
During their talks, Xi will also seek to enhance practical cooperation with the Philippines on China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, and in the areas of defense, drug control, counter-terrorism and law enforcement to foster a sound environment and peace and stability in the region.
On people-to-people ties, Xi sees the need to strengthen the exchanges, promote interactions between the political parties, parliament, think-tanks and at the local level to keep the relations as strong as ever.
“China and the Philippines are very close to each other in terms of geographical location, ancestral ties and cultural background. Friendly exchanges between our two peoples are an endless source of strength for our relations. As the saying goes, the flames rise high when everybody joins to add fuel,” he said.
As China seeks to join hands to deepen East Asia cooperation under the ASEAN-China strategic partnership platform, Xi expressed his firm support to the Philippines’ roles as country coordinator and vowed to work with Manila to secure greater cooperation in East Asia.
On Mindanao, the Chinese President said China will increase its input in the BIMP-EAGA initiative launched by the Philippines and assist with the development of the Southern Philippines and in other regions of the country, as well.
“As a Philippine proverb goes, “Seize today, or you will lose tomorrow.” China will work with the Philippines to seize the opportunity and go along with the trend of our time. Let us work together to build upon the Asian tradition of peace, credibility and good neighborliness, and further consolidate the bilateral relations for an even brighter future of the two countries and of Asia as a whole,” Xi said. (Roy Mabasa)
