President Duterte is set to make his fifth visit to China this month and hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss issues of mutual concern.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo confirmed the trip after the President’s long-time aide now Sen. Bong Go said Duterte will go to China sometime this month.
In a radio interview, Panelo said Duterte’s trip is still being worked out but is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart.
“Ang sinabi niya ay magkakaroon ng bilateral talks with President Xi. So most likely kung ano yung mga issues na dapat pag-usapan, yun ang nakalatag sa mesa,” he said.
When asked if part of the agenda on Duterte’s meeting with Xi would be the Recto Bank incident, Panelo said all issues might be discussed, including the two countries’ trade relations.
“Lahat ng suliranin, pati na yung mga dati nang pinang-uusapan natin tungkol sa trade relations, cultural exchanges, people-to-people, mga tulong na binibigay nila, tulong na kailangan,” Panelo said.
According to Panelo, the upcoming journey will be a working visit. “Lahat naman ng kanyang visit puro working visit eh. Hindi pa ako nakarinig ng special visit si Presidente, eh,” he said.
According to Go, Duterte will watch Gilas Pilipinas play in the FIBA World Cup group stage by the end of August.
“Sa ngayon po ay inaayos pa ang kanyang planong pumunta sa bansang China at magkakaroon siya ng meeting sa lider ng China na si President Xi Jinping. Maybe towards the end of Augus,” he said.
“Plano rin po niyang manood ng FIBA World po ito. Bihirang pagkakataon po ito na makasaksi si Pangulo. It’s been a long while po na hindi tayo nag-qualify. I think first time in 50 years po tayo naka-qualify sa FIBA World,” he added. (Argyll Geducos)