Xi Jinping to set foot in Manila in November

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping pose for a photo following a successful bilateral meeting at the Boao State Guesthouse on April 10, 2018. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

China’s leader is scheduled to visit the Philippines on November, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Wednesday, April 11.

In a text message, Chinese President Xi Jinping will come to the country after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit which will be held in Papua New Guinea from November 12 to 18.

His visit comes after President Rodrigo Duterte went to China for his attendance to the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

The Philippines and China on Tuesday, April 10, signed six bilateral agreements, including employment of Filipino English teachers in Beijing and a proposed Davao City expressway.

During his bilateral meeting with Xi, Duterte expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for their aid during the long-month Marawi siege.

“We would like to thank [China] again for the military assistance you gave us. It spelled the difference between victory and defeat, at least on a shorter term, that we are able to put down the terroristic activities that have perpetuated in Marawi,” the President said.

He also congratulated Xi for his reelection as President of the People’s Republic of China and that he is happy with the “higher level of friendship” of the two countries.

Duterte assured that the Philippines would “fully cooperate” with China in addressing transitional crimes and terrorism.

“One of the things that we would like to assure you is that we would like the fullest cooperation between our two countries regarding transnational crimes and address terrorism. And we welcome China’s hosting of the 6th Annual Defense and Security Talks to discuss better cooperation,” the Philippine leader noted.

He added that both countries can do more to boost military defense cooperation under the framework of the 2004 Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation.

Despite the country’s territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea, the Chief Executive said that the Philippines and China are working together to combat criminality and illegal drug trade.

Duterte, after his successful trip to China, arrived in Hong Kong on April 10, Tuesday where he will report to the Filipino community “the developments at home and listen to their concerns and also their hopes.”