BEIJING, China – Enhancing bilateral and economic “cooperation and collaboration” between the Philippines and China will be part of the mission of President Duterte in his four-day visit here this week.
Ahead of his arrival in Beijing, the President has bared plans to renew “ties of friendship,” seek trade and investments, and explore new “areas of partnership” with China without bartering away the country’s territorial rights.
Coming from his state visit in Brunei, Duterte is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday for a state visit until October 21 upon the invitation of the government of China. His visit comes amid efforts to mend relations with China which have been strained by a lingering territorial conflict in the South China Sea.
“As we mark this year the 41st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, we will look at the sum total of our relationships. We shall seek ways to strengthen cooperation, particularly to intensify two-way trade and investments,” the President said in a recent statement.
(Genalyn Kabiling)
