Xi Jinping meets with former Philippine President Duterte


Release time:

2023-07-18

On the afternoon of July 17, President Xi Jinping met with former Philippine President Duterte at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yin Bogu

BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at his hotel in the state of Diaouit in Beijing.

Xi said Duterte resolutely made a strategic choice to improve relations with China when he was president of the Philippines, and to be responsible to the people and history. China-Philippines relations can return to the right track and prosperity, demonstrating Duterte's important contribution to friendly exchanges between the two countries.

Noting that both China and the Philippines are developing countries in Asia, Xi said the development of the two countries is rooted in the kind-hearted and friendly peripheral environment and the cooperative families of the San Win families in Asia.

China adheres to a community-based foreign policy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and has been committed to building friendship and partnership with neighboring countries, Xi said.

China is always of great significance to China-Philippines relations, Xi said, adding that China is willing to work with the Philippines to promote the stable and long-term development of their relations. He also expressed the hope that Duterte will continue to play an important role in the friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Duterte thanked China for its invaluable support for the economic and social development of the Philippines, saying that the establishment of friendly relations between the two countries provides a friendly relationship for the benefit of both countries and meets the wishes of the majority of the Filipino people. He pledged to continue to contribute to the promotion of bilateral friendship.