A “new legacy of friendship and cooperation” between the Philippines and China would be forged following the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping in the country, resident Duterte said Tuesday.
The President hailed the stronger alliance between the two nations to promote prosperity, peace and stability after a meeting with his “good friend” Xi in Malacañang.
The two leaders met behind closed doors at the Palace and agreed to enhance cooperation on trade, economy, infrastructure development, maritime security, among others. Xi is in Manila for a two-day state visit, the first of a Chinese president in more than a decade.
“President Xi and I are committed to forge a new legacy of friendship and cooperation as we work together in further consolidating ties with our both nations,” Duterte said during the state banquet hosted for Xi and his delegation at the Palace Tuesday night.
“I stand here optimistic that we will sustain the momentum in moving our relationship even further, and that the friendship between our countries will continue to flourish in the years to come,” he said.
He said Xi’s visit to Manila was “a testament to our strong desire to write a new chapter in the history of Philippines-China relations.”
“I am hopeful that through our cooperation, opportunities for greater collaboration will further promote the prosperity and success of our nations, and contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region,” Duterte said.
In the same remarks, Duterte highlighted the long history of friendship and kinship between the Philippines and China. He said in the past two years, the two nations have hurdled “these challenges by resuming bilateral dialogue and deepening our relations through positive engagement.”
Duterte also offered a toast to the good health and continued success of Xi and to the “seeds of friendship and cooperation we plant here today.” “To the legacy of peace and prosperity that the succeeding generations will reap as a result of the improved relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China,” he added.
Duterte was accompanied by his longtime partner Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña during the state dinner for the visiting Chinese leader. Among those who attend the special event were Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Cabinet members, lawmakers, other senior government officials, and businessmen.
The Palace guests enjoyed a sumptuous menu included crunchy suckling pig, deep-fried prawns and duck salakot for appetizer; abalone soup with malunggay; black cod with Chinese sauce and beef tenderloin, taro gnocchi, broccoli and kalabasa puree; taho ice cream with tapioca pearls, bukayo and barquillos; and kapeng Baroko and tea with pastillas.
The two leaders earlier witnessed the exchange of agreements signed by the two nations on various areas of cooperation.
In signing the Palace guest book, Xi also hailed the strong friendship between the the Philippines and China. (Genalyn Kabiling)
