Duterte leaves for China April 9

File photo (KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo R. Duterte is leaving Monday (April 9) afternoon for the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan Province of the People’s Republic of China where he will engage with counterparts on cooperation beneficial to the people of the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region.

Duterte is expected to present the agenda of his attendance to the Boao forum and the bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his departure at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City Monday.

From Hainan province, the President will proceed to his first working visit in Hong Kong.

The Boao Forum is an international dialogue platform for Asia Pacific countries and other partner nations and organizations from all over the globe with an aim of bringing together heads of state, business elites, academic experts and media personalities.

Duterte will address the Opening Plenary on Tuesday, April 10 that is reportedly a singular privilege for the Philippines and a privilege for acknowledging the President’s role and leadership in Asia and the ASEAN region.

Earlier, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Manuel Antonio Teehankee said the focus of the Boao forum is the challenges facing Asia and how Asia can contribute to world prosperity.

It also assures that Asia is at the forefront of economic growth and assure to the Asian peoples a unified approach to economic development, and addressing the fact that the target is indeed inclusive growth and zero poverty for all of Asia, he said.

In China, Duterte and President Xi are scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting to talk ways to enhance the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and China.

Teehankee said the two leaders will also discuss ways to collaborate on jointly addressing pressing issues as well as common threats such as violent extremism and terrorism and cross-border traffic of illegal narcotics.