President Rodrigo Roa Duterte returned to Manila on Sunday after productive talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.

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.

Presidents Duterte and Xi had candid and open exchange of views on the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, including the Arbitral Award which the Philippines won in 2016.  

Acknowledging the importance of a Code of Conduct(COC) 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. 

President Duterte conveyed the Philippines’ commitment to enhance ASEAN’s engagement with China during our country’s stewardship of the ASEAN-China Dialogue. 

The President also met Premier Li Keqiang and reiterated the Philippines’ 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. 

Premier Li, for his part, stated that the Philippines is an important partner of China in Southeast Asia and that China is ready to step up cooperation in support of the “Build, Build, Build” Program to deliver win-win outcomes. 

A total of six (6) agreements were signed during the visit, covering cooperation in the areas of education, science and technology, finance, and customs, among others. 

The President also met with Chinese and Filipinoinvestors, including key business leaders in the Philippine construction industry, during the Philippines-China Business Forum organized by the Department of Trade and Industry.

The President likewise graced in Beijing the Opening Ceremony of the 2019 FIBA Basketball Word Cup as special guest of President Xi, the only foreign leader invited to the event.

In Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, the President was welcomed by Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and top political leaders of the province.

The President then witnessed the game of Gilas Pilipinas against Italy in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup at the Foshan International Sports and Cultural Center in Foshan.