Pres. Duterte meets Chinese business magnate Jack Ma

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte does his signature pose with Alibaba Group Founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma during a meeting in Malacañan Palace on October 25, 2017. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte received Chinese business mogul Jack Ma who paid a courtesy call on him in Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, October 25.

The Chinese billionaire is a cofounder and executive chairman of e-commerce business Alibaba Group.

Present during the meeting were Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, and Senator Richard Gordon, among others.

Following his meeting with the Chinese business magnate, the President welcomed new ambassadors to the Philippines at the Reception Hall of Malacañan Palace.

His Excellency Aman Rashid, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and His Excellency Koji Haneda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan submitted their credentials to the President.

In a separate meeting, the Chief Executive also received officials of the Shanghai Nanjiang Group Co. Ltd. and Arcplus Group PLC.

President Duterte told the executives of the two companies that this is the most opportune time for the Philippines to invite its neighbors and economic giants in Asia to come over and help the country as it strives for economic growth and development.

After attending the commemorative session and concert program of the ASEAN Law Association Governing Council, the President received China’s Minister of National Defense Gen. Chang Wanquan as well as Vietnam’s Defense Minister Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich in separate courtesy calls.