Preparations underway for Duterte-Xi meeting in Manila

FILE: It was also at “bad” levels despite public’s satisfaction with President Rodrigo Duterte. (ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA – Preparations for the first-ever state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines next month are underway.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua made this remark in his courtesy call to President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañang Palace last Monday.

“China would work with the Philippine team to make comprehensive preparations and planning for the upcoming high-level exchanges between the countries,” Zhao said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the Philippine team has also assured full preparations to ensure a “safe, smooth and completely successful visit.”

Zhao conveyed Xi’s cordial greetings and best wishes to Duterte and briefed him on the latest developments and future plans on China-Philippines relations and practical cooperation.

Duterte, on the other hand, has also extended his warm greetings to Xi, whom he invited to come to the Philippines when he visited Beijing in October 2016.

“President Duterte underlined that he and the Philippine people look forward in real earnest to the first-ever state visit to the Philippines by President Xi, which would surely be remembered as another milestone in Philippines-China relations,” the Chinese envoy said.

Aside from Xi’s visit, Zhao said he had an in-depth exchange of views with Duterte and some of his Cabinet officials on China-Philippines relations.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and other Secretaries, Carlos Dominguez III of finance, Delfin Lorenzana of defense, Arthur Tugade of transportation, and Alfonso Cusi of energy attended Zhao’s meeting with the President, along with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Bases Conversion Development Authority President and CEO Vivencio B. Dizon.