China’s Xi hosts ex-Philippine president to promote closer ties

ISTANBUL

China’s President Xi Jinping hosted former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Beijing on Monday, with the two discussing bilateral relations.

Lauding Duterte for the “strategic choice” he made during his presidency to improve relations with China, Xi said “China values its relations with the Philippines and is ready to work with the Philippines to promote the steady and sustained growth of bilateral relations.”

Duterte served as president from 2016 to 2022, during which Manila’s relations with Beijing had seen visible growth.

Emphasizing the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in relation to its neighbors, Xi said he hoped that Duterte “will continue to play an important role in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries,” China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, quoting the Chinese president as having told his former Filipino counterpart.

Xi’s meeting with Duterte came at a time when the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has seen closer relations with the US, China’s arch rival in the region.

Manila has also granted approval to the US to expand its military presence in the archipelago nation.