President Duterte is back in the country after forging closer strategic cooperative partnership with China during his fifth visit to Beijing.
The President arrived in Manila yesterday morning aboard a small aircraft from China where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss concerns such as the South China Sea dispute and other areas of cooperation.
The Palace had earlier described the President’s official visit to China as “successful and highly productive.”
“The President’s five-day official visit, his fifth to China, opened with a bilateral meeting with President Xi on 29 August 2019 at the Diaoyutai Guest House. The two leaders reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and China and renewed their commitment to further enhance our countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation,” Malacanang said.
The two leaders also had “candid and open exchange of views” on the South China Sea issue, including the country’s 2016 victory in the arbitration court, according to Malacanang.
Duterte had earlier raised the arbitral ruling that nullified China’s claims over the resource-rich waters but the Chinese leader stood firmly behind Beijing’s position of not recognizing such decision. The two leaders eventually agreed to practice self-restraint and avoid provocative acts in the disputed waterway and resolve the dispute through peaceful dialogue and negotiations.
“Acknowledging the importance of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to regional peace and stability, the two Presidents expressed determination to fast track negotiations for the conclusion of an effective and substantive CoC at the soonest possible time,” Malacanang said.
While in Beijing, Duterte also held a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to affirm the country’s “strong resolve to further expand economic ties and people-to-people exchanges with China for mutual benefit.”
“He likewise stressed the importance of completing infrastructure projects with China with favorable financing arrangements,” Malacanang said.
Li recognized the Philippines as an important partner of China in Southeast Asia, Malacanang said. “China is ready to step up cooperation in support of the ‘Build, Build, Build’ Program to deliver win-win outcomes,” it added. (Genalyn Kabiling)